One Soup - Many Ways

I created what I like to call my "Orange Power Soup" a couple months ago.  You can see the original post HERE.  I named it "Orange Power" because it's completely vegetable based and you get great vitamins and nutrients from the orange vegetables. Vitamins + Nutrients = Power. :) 

I've made this soup many times since that first creation.  I love how simple it is and how it incorporates multiple vegetables all into one dish.  An easy way to get a couple servings of veggies into your day!  Another reason I enjoy this soup so much is because it's fun to top.  I've been playing around with different toppings based on what I have in my fridge or pantry.  Let me just say, pesto croutons are my new favorite!

Here are FIVE different ways I've topped this soup, all delicious and a great way to add different flavors to an already tasty base soup.

This one was the original topping.  Bake some kale in the oven until crisp and top the soup with your kale chips, fried onions, Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.

This has my new favorite creation...PESTO CROUTONS!  Come on, how good does that sound?!  I created these yummy, crunchy bits of goodness by toasting a piece of Ezekiel bread and then spreading on a thin layer of pesto while the bread was hot out of the toaster.  Cut into little squares and you've got pesto croutons!

Another easy one...spoonful of pesto, fried onions for crunch and some chopped spinach for an extra serving of good-for-you-veggies.

This one delivered on texture!  Toast some chopped walnuts and top with white and black sesame seeds.  A savory way to use walnuts.

Thinly slice some jalapeno for heat, add a dollop of yogurt to help cool it down and garnish with some white and black sesame seeds.

Not to mention, this soup is pretty inexpensive to make and you'll enjoy multiple bowls of orange power from one big batch!