Photographer: Omid

Thick and creamy soup prepared with fresh local ears of young sweet corn, celery, carrots and young coconut water topped with diced cherry tomatoes and Italian parsley with a sprinkle of fresh crushed black pepper. Its natural sweet taste and creamy-chewy texture is just like the one of a country corn soup. Gabrielle was finishing work a little early today, and so I thought I should get something special ready for her. For inspiration I went to a the local farmers’ market to see what was happening. And there they were, smiling at me! A little early in the season a farmer was beaming with his young sweet corn. Perfect!

When I surprised her with this lovely creamy and refreshing soup, decorated with a corn flower (the purple flower) she said these words: “Purple and yellow, my favorite colors. Corn is such a treat but where did you find these treats so early in the season ?” “It’s a secret”, I replied.

Serves about 2 people

Photographer: Omid

For the Soup

Step 1 Blend all the ingredients except the corn until semi smooth.
Step 2 Add the corn to the blender and pulse for 5 seconds. Cover and set aside at room temperature to mature for 10 – 20 minutes.

Mounting your Work

Step 1Pour the sweet corn soup into 2 soup bowls.
Step 2 Add the corn kernels on top and give a gentle stir, making sure that there are still some on top.
Step 3 Garnish with cherry tomatoes and Italian Parsley, however you like.

Note:
*Approximately 4 corn cobs give 2 cups of kernels. Remove the husk and silk from the cobs. Place it on a work bench vertically. Hold it tightly on the top, and with a sharp knife, separate the kernels from top to bottom.
*You can also add a dash of lime.

Case Study
Thick, creamy and tasty soup prepared with fresh sweet corn, celery, carrots and tender coconut water. With a naturally sweet taste and creamy-chewy texture, it is absolutely delicious and filling. The fresher the corn, the better the taste and flavor.

Fresh sweet corn kernels are sweet, juicy and good source of B- group vitamins and vitamin C.
Tender coconut water is a natural, refreshing drink from tender coconuts. It is mildly sweet and full of useful electrolytes and vitamins, better than any commercial electrolyte drinks. Oh, it is also completely sterile if it is directly from the freshly opened coconuts.
Carrots are crisp, crunchy and sweet. They are also a rich source of vitamin A.
Fresh celery is crisp, crunchy, and mildly sweet.
Onion, garlic, thyme, parsley are good sources of essential oils, phytonutrients, flavonoids, and when consumed regularly have beneficial health effects.
Fresh tomatoes are juicy, sweetish-sour and good source of vitamin C and a phytochemical called lycopene, which also has antioxidant properties. Regular consumption of raw tomatoes results in clear, healthy radiant skin.

Health Benefits

1. This is low in calories and fats, but provides good amount of carbohydrates and proteins.
2. Excellent source of vitamin A, a natural antioxidant that reduces acne, and promotes healthy, smooth and radiant skin.
3. Very good source of vitamin C, a natural water soluble antioxidant. It enhances the body’s immune system, increases the elasticity of skin and blood vessels, and prevents bruising of the skin.
4. Good source of vitamin K. It promotes the mineralization of bones and thus strengthens bones.
5. Good source of B-group vitamins, especially thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and folic acid. These vitamins are required in our body to maintain various normal metabolic activities, synthesis of hemoglobin in the blood, etc.
6. Folic acid also prevents the accumulation of an intermediary metabolite called homocysteine in the blood. Elevated levels of homocysteine in the blood are associated with heart attack, stroke and peripheral vascular disease. Thus, this soup also promotes heart health.
7. Very good source of magnesium. It helps in relieving fatigue, relaxing the muscles, nerves and blood vessels, thus relieving the symptoms of asthma, migraine headaches, tension and soreness in muscles etc.
8. Very good source of manganese. It functions as cofactor in various metabolic reactions and enhances the activity of enzymes involved in detoxification process.
9. Good source of dietary fiber. Aside from promoting healthy bowel function, it can also reduce the absorption of cholesterol, and regulate the blood glucose and cholesterol levels.

Nutritional Information
Each serving of this delicious soup provides the following nutrients:

Calories: 13% (260 Cal); Total Fats: 7%; Saturated Fats: 5%; Carbohydrates: 16%; Proteins: 17%; Fiber: 39%; Magnesium: 38%; Potassium: 43%; Manganese: 42%; Vitamin A: 106%; Vitamin C: 47%; Vitamin K: 22%; Vitamin B1: 23%; Vitamin B2: 14%; Vitamin B3: 16%; Folic acid: 30%.