Island Pumpkin Soup with Herb Dumplings

Chef Elieth Ameni Harris has developed and written recipes specifically for arthritis sufferers so that they can begin to eat healthfully without sacrificing flavor. This recipe eliminates foods that aggravate or escalate arthritis symptoms, particularly the common culprits such as eggs, dairy, wheat, or fried foods. These recipes are tasty and healthy, whether or not you have arthritis.

• 4 cups steamed pumpkin, butternut, or buttercup squash

• 8 cups vegetable stock

• 2 cups tofu cream (1 cup silken tofu and 1 cup soy milk; purée in food processor 3-4 minutes)

• 1 cup onion, chopped

• 2/3 cup chopped celery

• 1/2 cup leeks, sliced thin

• 3 tbsp vegetable oil

• 1 tsp cumin powder

• 1/2 tsp nutmeg

• 1 cinnamon stick

• 2 tbsp parsley, chopped

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 11/2 tsp sea salt

• 1/2 cup Bragg's Liquid Aminos (contains soy)

• 4 tbsp unbleached (non-wheat) flour slurried in 1/2 cup water

Method

1. In a large soup pot, sauté onions, celery, and leeks in the vegetable oil over medium heat for seven minutes.

2. Add vegetable stock, squash, and cinnamon stick; simmer for 15 minutes.

3. Next, add the tofu cream and whisk together with a hand whisk.

4. Season with cumin, nutmeg, garlic, and parsley, while continuing to cook for an additional ten minutes.

5. Meanwhile, make herb dumplings and add teaspoonfuls of the dumpling mixture to the simmering soup. Cook for an additional ten minutes before serving.

• 2 1/2 cups spelt flour

• 1/2 tsp baking powder

• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

• 1 cup soy milk

• 1/4 cup Irish moss solution *(see explanation below)

• 1 tsp lite gray Celtic sea salt (sea salt may be substituted)

• 2 tbsp chopped chives

• 2 tsp fresh thyme, chopped

Method

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the baking powder and unbleached spelt flour. Then add the remaining ingredients and mix until homogenous. Make teaspoon-size dumplings for the soup.

* Irish moss solution: Dissolve Irish moss (available at health food stores) in cold water. Simmer over stove, then fold into dry ingredients. Irish moss acts like egg whites in its ability to bind ingredients together.

This recipe was excerpted from Arthritis: An Alternative Medicine Definitive Guide, by Ellen Kamhi, Eugene Zampieron, and Burton Goldberg, ©1999. Reprinted with permission from the publisher,AlternativeMedicine.com Books, Tiburon, CA, USA.

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About The Authors

Ellen Kamhi, Ph.D., RN., H.N.C. is certified in reflexology, Bach flower remedies, herbology, darkfield microscopy, and indigenous medicines. Eugene Zampieron, N.D., A.H.G. is a licensed naturopathic physician, professional herbalist, and medical botanist specializing in the non-toxic treatment of autoimmune and rheumatological disorders, especially arthritis and fibromyalgia. Along with Ellen Kamhi, he has written The Natural Medicine Chest. He is co-executive with Dr. Kamhi of EcoTours for Cures.

Burton Goldberg, Ph.D., Hon., has published Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide, a 1100-page reference book, hailed as "the bible of alternative medicine". For information, go to www.alternativemedicine.com.