RECIPE: Spring into Health with Homemade Vegetable Broth
Written by: Vincent Pedre M.D. | April 17, 2024 | Time to read 4 min
As we welcome the rejuvenating energy of spring, there’s no better way to refresh our diets and embrace the season's bounty than with homemade vegetable broth. This simple, nourishing recipe is perfect for anyone looking to detoxify their body and soothe their soul with something warm and comforting.
Why Vegetable Broth?
Packed with vitamins and minerals from fresh vegetables, this Vegetable Broth is low in calories yet rich in flavor and health benefits. It's an excellent base for soups, stews, or even as a warming drink on its own.
Our Vegetable Broth fits into the Severe category of your GutSMART Score, making it gut-friendly for everyone, including people with severe gut-related health issues and a score of 351 - 450. If you haven’t taken the GutSMART Quiz and want to find out what your GutSMART Score is, you can take it here.
Let’s talk about the superfood ingredients we’ve included in this recipe first.
Carrots and Butternut Squash: These root vegetables add sweetness and body to your broth, along with a healthy dose of vitamin A and antioxidants.
Celery Root and Fennel: Known for their aromatic qualities, these add depth to the flavor profile and aid in digestion.
Zucchini and Scallions: Light and versatile, these vegetables are perfect for adding bulk without overpowering the broth’s natural flavors.
Herbs and Lemon Juice: Aromatic herbs like parsley and thyme, along with a touch of lemon juice, infuse the broth with fresh flavors and increase its cleansing properties.
Vegetable Broth
Makes 4 to 5 cups
Ingredients:
- 3 carrots, roughly chopped
- 1⁄2 butternut squash, seeded and roughly chopped
- 1 celery root, peeled and roughly chopped
- 1 zucchini, roughly chopped
- 1 fennel bulb, roughly chopped
- 1 bunch scallions, green parts only,chopped
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 small bunch flat-leaf parsley
- 4–5 thyme sprigs
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 8 cups filtered water, or more as needed
- Celtic sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Steps:
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Combine the carrots, butternut squash, celery root, zucchini, fennel, and scallions in a large roasting pan and splash with the olive oil, tossing to coat.
3. Roast for 45 minutes, stirring often. (You may have to remove the vegetables that cook faster as they are ready).
4. Transfer the roasted vegetables to a large stockpot. Add the parsley, thyme, bay leaf, and lemon juice. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
5. Add filtered water to cover and bring to a boil over medium heat.
6. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 1 hour.
7. Carefully strain the broth through a cheesecloth-lined sieve into another pot or large bowl.
8. Serve right away, or let cool and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 1 month.
Storing Your Broth
Freshly made vegetable broth can be refrigerated for up to four days or frozen for a month. This makes it a convenient ingredient to have on hand for quick meal prep or a soothing drink.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy this broth on its own, seasoned simply with salt and pepper, or use it as a base for more complex soups and stews. It’s also a perfect ingredient for cooking grains like quinoa or rice, adding extra flavor and nutrients.
This simple vegetable broth recipe is a gesture of kindness to your body. As you sip this warm, comforting broth, let it nourish you from the inside out, clearing the clutter of heavy winter meals and welcoming the lightness of spring.
Enhance Your Broth and Gut Health:
To further boost your gut health, consider incorporating a product like ENHANCE. Formulated to support the gut lining and aid in digestion, ENHANCE complements the healing properties of your homemade broth. It’s packed with ingredients that help maintain a healthy gut barrier, essential for overall health and well-being. Here is why so many people love Enhance:
Supports Gut Lining: Enhance is designed to help maintain the integrity of the gut lining. This is crucial for preventing unwanted substances from entering the bloodstream and triggering immune responses.
Promotes Digestive Health: Enhance aids in digestion by supporting the gut's ability to absorb nutrients and process foods efficiently, leading to improved overall digestive health.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties: Enhance contains ingredients known for their anti-inflammatory effects, which can help reduce gut inflammation, often associated with various digestive disorders.
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Boosts Immune Function: By strengthening the gut lining and reducing inflammation, Enhance helps to support the immune system, as a significant part of the body’s immune defenses is located in the gut.
