“Thai - Mung Bean and Pumpkin Soup”

Here is a wonderful fall recipe with a Thai twist which gives it a dash of sweetness which is to die for. This recipe is quick, simple, and it can also be served hot or cold depending upon the weather. And it’s full of the wonderful goodness of mung beans, pumpkin, and the reminiscent flavors of South Asia.

Ingredients:

1 - Cup of Organic Split Mung Beans - Found at Asian Stores
3/4 - Cup of Organic Brown Rice - To add thickness
3 - Cups of Fresh Organic Pumpkin Cut into Cubes
1 - Tablespoons of Organic Curry Powder
1 - Tablespoon of Organic Tomato Paste
Enough Organic Veggie Stock to Cover Everythingr
Salt and Pepper to Taster
Organic Low Fat Coconut Milk
Sweetener of Choice either Agave Nectar, Stevia, or Honey

In large pot add the mung beans, brown rice, curry powder, tomato paste and pumpkin and enough stock to cover everything. Then bring to a boil and simmer until everything is nice and soft and thoroughly cooked. Then add salt and pepper to taste. Then take the resulting soup and put through a blender and blend until nice and smooth.

At this point it may be necessary to add some water if the soup is too thick, add enough water to make it the right consistency. Then ladle the soup into serving bowls and add enough coconut milk and sweetener to exactly the sweetness that you like and mix well. Then garnish with a little greenery and a few drop of coconut milk and you have a wonderful Thai soup.

Health Benefits of Mung Beans

Mung Beans are full of Protein, B and C Vitamins, Iron, Zinc, Potassium, Magnesium, and many more minerals. Full of fiber and very little cholesterol and they supports our immune system, and also your cardiovascular system. Mung beans help reduces stress and maintain a healthy metabolism and also helps detox the body of lots of terrible toxins. Mung Beans are great with curry and brown rice and many people use that combination as a body cleansing agent.

Mung Beans can also be sprouted or ground into a paste and used in pastries too, in fact there are sweet Chinese pastries filled with sweet Mung Bean paste. In fact I love mung beans they are one of my favorite beans.

Health Benefits of Pumpkin

Pumpkins contain lots of Beta Carotene and Vitamin A. In fact they contain 300 times the RDA of Vitamin A. With hardly any calories… (only 75 calories per cup) make them a great diet food. Pumpkin contains lots of fiber which creates a wonderful place for probiotic bacteria to grow and boost up our immune system and keep us regular. Pumpkin also helps to regulate blood sugar levels and insulin production, and pumpkin has a very low glycemic index. Which means it breaks down into sugars very slowly making it great for diabetics.

Without oxidization cancer can’t take hold, and that’s why antioxidant rich foods like pumpkin are very important for preventing cancer. Pumpkin works wonders for staving off disease because they are packed full of lots of great antioxidants that protect us from colds, flues, cardiovascular disease, strokes, and even cancer. One cup of pumpkin provides 18,000 micrograms of Beta Carotenoids a powerful antioxidant.

Pumpkin contains Cucurbitacin which is a powerful anti-inflammatory that helps to prevent diseases including arthritis. And because inflammation is the root cause of cardiovascular disease this means that pumpkin can make a difference in our health. And Cucurbitacin is a powerful antimicrobial agent which kills invading bacteria and viruses. Pumpkin lowers LDL or bad cholesterol because it contains Cucurbita which prevents the formation of cholesterol. Pumpkin contains Vitamin C a powerful antioxidant, lots of B vitamins for prenatal health and vital energy, magnesium for preventing migraines, tryptophan for getting a good nights rest, Vitamin K to prevent excessive clotting, copper and iron for anemia, zinc for boosting up our immune system, potassium for water regulation, manganeses for lots of great things including helping with depression and strong bones, and a healthy dose of fiber to promote probiotic development and thus boost our immune system.

Pumpkin contains Omega 3 Oils which help prevent cardiovascular disease and strokes. One cup of pumpkin provides about 350 mgs of Omega 3’s. And pumpkin is virtually fat free… making it great weight loss.
Enjoy this great tasting and healing Thai soup.

Dr. Paul Haider - Master Herbalist