Photo: Darina Kopcok

A Reason to Remember a Forgotten Veg
Often overlooked turnip deserves a spot in your grocery cart—because not only is it rich in beta-carotene, potassium and manganese, it has a lovely sweet flavor. In this recipe from the new book Vegan Weight Loss Manifesto by Zuzana Fajkusova and Nikki Lefler, it stars alongside fennel, cumin, cinnamon and cardamom, which complement the veggie's taste beautifully. You simmer all the ingredients in the slow-cooker for a few hours, then puree them for a warming and nutritious meal.

Get the recipe: Slow-Cooker Turnip and Fennel Soup

Photo: Stephen Conroy

A Brand New Take on a Classic Picker-Upper
If you love chicken soup but want to add more veggies, you've got to try this zippy version. It starts with a whole chicken that you poach in the slow-cooker, along with the usual veggies, such as carrots and onions. Then things get interesting: You add some flavor boosters (such as ginger and garlic), shred the chicken into bite-size pieces and, finally, add bright green snow peas and bok choy, plus yellow egg noodles, for a unique and great-looking (and tasting) soup.

Get the recipe: Fragrant Spiced-Chicken

Photo: TeodoraDjordjevic/Thinkstock

A Soup That Tastes as Peppy as It Looks
Naturally sweet, buttery-tasting pumpkin is best known for its affinity for cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. Yet it goes surprisingly well with cumin, coriander, cardamom and other complex spices too. And this winter squash is hearty enough that it won't lose any of its rich color after-hours in the slow-cooker—if anything, the deep orange color just becomes more intense. The finished dish is a thick, creamy soup that combines sweetness and spice.

Get the recipe: Curried Pumpkin Soup

Photo: Matt Armendariz

A Year-Round "Summer" Soup
You can make this lightened-up corn chowder anytime, whether or not corn is in season—because it relies on sweet corn from the freezer aisle for a lively taste and look. The recipe also includes cauliflower, red bell pepper, onion and baby red potatoes, plus a bit of unsweetened almond milk for thickness (it's drastically lower in calories than, say, heavy cream).

Get the recipe: Cauliflower and Corn Soup
Published 01/09/2018