Creamy Carrot & Parsnip Soup

In preparation for the baby, we decided to make all meals at home to A, start eating crazy healthy (to set a good example) and of course B, to save money.  I went to the market today and bought food for b.fast, lunch and dinner ALL week.  I am not going to post the menu yet (just in case we totally fail our first attempt to ONLY eat at home)!!!

Tonight though, was a great start!!  My sister bought me a book called "100 Best Foods for Pregnancy" by Charlotte Watts (about the healthiest foods to eat for you and the baby during pregnancy, DUH)....  Anyhow, I picked all my meals from the books inspiration..... We started with "Creamy Carrot & Parsnip Soup"  (serves 4 so we made it all and will have the leftovers for lunch at work tomorrow)

4tbsp butter
1 large onion (chopped)
8 carrots (chopped)
2 large parsnips (chopped)
1 tbsp peeled & grated fresh ginger (I used dry ground because it's what I had in my pantry)
1 tsp grated orange rind
2 1/2 cups of vegetable stock
1/2 cup Greek yogurt
pepper (to taste)
salt (to taste, recipe did not call for any I only added a VERY little)

Melt the butter in a large sauce pan & add the onion (stir and cook until soft)

Add the carrots & parsnips (cover and cook until soft - about 15 min)

Stir in ginger, orange rind & vegetable stock.  Bring to boil and then simmer covered for about 30 minutes

remove from hear and let cool for 10 minutes

blend in the blender until a happy consistency & return to clean saucepan

stir in the yogurt & coo gently through, on low

garnish with pepper

HONESTLY - it was AMAZING!!! The picture isn't great, by the time I realized I was going to share, we had already eaten our bowls and this was just what was left over :) HAHAHA - same for the bruschetta - I already made and we ate and there was only a tiny bit of topping left - SORRY!!!

I also served it with bruschetta!!!!!! 

Thin sliced Italian bread (toasted & cooled)
3 chopped Roma tomatoes
fresh chopped basil
tsp minced garlic
drizzle of olive oil
mozzarella cheese

mix tomato's, basil, garlic & olive oil - spoon onto bread and top with cheese - bake on 350 until cheese is melted :) MMMMM!!!!!  (Make sure when you scoop on the break its not very watery scoops)

I know the two don't actually GO together, but it was a REALLY nice meal :)

I started a crock-pot apple pie oatmeal recipe tonight for the morning..... Will take better pictures :)

XOXO - wish me luck this week :)