Artichoke soup

This is pretty much taken from a book (Fast Track: The One-Day Detox Diet) but it's so good and easy I thought I'd pass it along. Not really a summer dish, but fine if you're air-conditioned.

If you're trying to de-tox, all ingredients would be organic, but if you just want good food, not necessary:



1 T olive oil

1 onion, chopped fine

4 cloves or more garlic, chopped fine

2 1/2 cups chicken broth (canned is fine)

1 can (drained) artichokes--without marinade, just plain (or four fresh artichokes, cooked and all outer leaves removed)--chopped fairly small, but not tiny

dried or fresh herbs to taste: oregano, basil, parsley

red pepper flakes to taste, or finely chopped fresh jalapeno or other hot pepper, or cayenne powder

black pepper to taste, maybe some salt if none in broth or artichokes

1/2-1 tsp. fresh lemon juice (or to taste)


Saute onion and garlic in olive oil until beginning to turn yellow; add all other ingredients except lemon juice, cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Add lemon juice. Taste and correct seasoning if necessary.