This wonderful soup is full of fresh vegetables and wholesome, natural ingredients to advance your dish to the next level. Lifeway Farmer Cheese is the way to go for ravioli. It’s a probiotic, high-protein swap for ricotta cheese with a slightly sweet and tangy flavor that compliments this medley of vegetables and seasonings perfectly. Make this Veggie Ravioli Soup to warm your body and soul during cold winter nights.
Cultured Dairy: The Nutrition Benefits You Actually Need to Know
With increasing research linking the correlation between probiotics, gut health, and immunity, it’s no secret that the integrity of our gut is vital to our health. Although additional factors such as stress, antibiotic usage, and individual health conditions can contribute to the condition of our gut, a focus on healthy food choices is one of the easiest ways to support the microbiome.
Several studies have shown a strong association between the gut-brain-microbiota. Probiotics introduced to the gut have been found to support immunity, improve allergies, and improve digestion.
Studies have shown that reduced diversity of healthy gut bacteria during early years is associated with an increase in food allergies during school-age years. In addition, kefir made from whole milk helps absorb key nutrients such as Vitamins A, D, E, and K. Vitamin K is important because it helps your bones absorb calcium. It’s important to know that kefir contains a special trio: vitamin D, K, and calcium – all three crucial elements to support bone health.
Prebiotics + Probiotics = a Healthy You
Prebiotics are non-living, non-digestible carbohydrates naturally found in a variety of foods. Your body actually can’t digest probiotics, so they’re what probiotics feed off of to remain actively working in your digestive system. They help the digestive system by promoting the growth of good bacteria. Prebiotics and probiotics work together in balance to make sure our digestive system stays on track and regular. Research has found that consuming a variety of prebiotic and probiotic food sources may improve your body’s natural functions, including both your immune and digestive systems.
Prep Time: 20-30 mins Servings: 5-7Ingredients
- For the Soup:
- 1 medium yellow onion
- 3-4 carrots
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning blend
- 1 TBSP avocado oil or olive oil
- 3 cups vegetable stock or broth
- 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2-3/4 cup
- 1-2 cups fresh chopped baby spinach
- 1 & 1/2 cup of mini farmer cheese ravioli
- Mini Farmer Cheese Ravioli:
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 garlic clove
- 2 cups frozen spinach (thawed)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup Farmer Cheese
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 30 wonton wrappers
Directions
- Directions for soup:
- Peel and finely dice carrots and onion. The smaller the dice the faster they'll cook. Peel 4 cloves of fresh garlic and finely mince.
- Heat 1 TBSP oil in a dutch oven or large pot over medium-high heat.
- Add onion and carrots. Sauté until tender (approx. 6 minutes). Then add garlic and Italian seasoning and saute an additional 30-60 seconds.
- Add 3 cups of veggie stock and crushed tomatoes. Stir well to combine. Bring soup to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to low/simmer. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Once the veggies have reached your ideal tenderness, bring the soup back up to a medium simmer and add your fresh farmer cheese ravioli.
- Allow the ravioli to simmer until fully cooked and softened.
- Stir in plain whole milk kefir.
- Lastly, chop your spinach and stir into the hot soup to wilt the greens. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Add your garnish and enjoy!
- For the Ravioli
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil to the pan.
- Add garlic and let simmer for 1 minute until garlic becomes fragrant, and then add the spinach.
- Sauté the spinach and garlic for 2-3 minutes and season with salt and pepper.
- Remove from the heat and let cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, combine ricotta, Parmesan, and spinach, and mix well.
- Whisk the egg in a small bowl and set it aside.
- Place wonton wrappers on a clean surface.
- Place about 1/4 tsp. of the spinach filling in each corner of the wonton wrapper, creating four separate ravioli per wrapper.
- Place another wonton wrapper on top of the bottom one and press around each spinach dollop, not allowing any air to be trapped under.
- Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, carefully cut four ravioli out of each wonton wrapper.
- Repeat the process until all ravioli are made.
