During the winter months, I LOVE making soup.It's the perfect way for me to feel some warming comfort when the skies are gray and the temperature is chilly.

I know we're on our way to more spring weather, but that's another reason why I LOVE soup...it's the perfect transition from winter to spring food.

When I say, transition, what I really mean is, "Heck yeah, it's warm out today!" And then the next day, "Uhhhh, hello...spring!! Where are you? It's freakin' cold again! Dang!"

Are ya feelin' me on this?

Well, if you are, then I think you'll dig this awesome soup.

I absolutely LOVE all things quinoa, except when it's prepared plain and all by itself, um, eeeeeeeeew!

When I make vegetable soups, chicken soups or any broth based soup, I love adding some grains to it. It just feels thicker and more satisfying to me.

I came across the most awesomest quinoa cookbook, called Quinoa 365: The Everyday Superfood, and let me tell ya...pretty much EVERY single recipe calls out to me.

I want to make them all!!

I love how it's everyday foods...nothing too hard to make... but just with some added quinoa to it.

Sweeeeeeeet!!!

When I first saw the title for this soup, I was immediately called because I love corn and I love leeks.

And, not to mention, all the other veggies it included...onion, carrots, red pepper oh my!

To me, adding veggies to any meal just makes the dish taste even more spectacular.

For instance, have you ever had cheeseburger...just plain...bun, meat and cheese...and then had one that had lettuce, tomato, onions, cucumber, avocado and anything else your veggie heart desires...oh yeah, BIG DIFFERENCE!!

To me, it's like a fantastic party in my mouth when there's added color because of all the flavors mixing together! ;)

With this recipe, it says to add saffron. Something I didn't do.

And, it also said to mix it up some with a blender. Another thing I didn't do.

The reason being...first, I didn't have saffron. If I did, I'd totally add it.

Second, I have no time to pull out more cooking equipment right now...I gotta make something quick and EASY. Not that blending it up is hard, but I just wasn't feelin' it and I like my soups au naturale. ;)

I added collards, because I LOVE adding dark, leafy greens to my soups. But you SO don't have to this if you don't want to.

And, last, but not least, I added butter, chicken stock, sea salt and pepper.

SO FREAKIN' GOOD!

If this dish looks yummy to you, I'm sure you'll LOVE how it tastes, too.

And, because cooking is SO awesome...mix and match to your liking as well.

Don't like collards, don't add 'em. Don't like leeks, don't add 'em. Think something else would be great in it instead...the sky's the limit...and that's another reason why I LOVE soups! :)

So what'cha think...

You think you'll try this soup? If so, let me know how you liked it..and if you didn't like it, let me know, too...or if you switched things...let me know as well. I LOVE talking food! :)

Either way...here's the recipe for ya!

Quinoa, Corn + Leek Soup

Ingredients
1/2 onion, chopped
1 red pepper, chopped
1/2 leek, chopped (I mixed up the white part and the green part together)
1 to 2 collard leaf stalks, chopped
3/4 cup quinoa, pre-cooked
3 cups, frozen corn
1 to 3 tablespoons, butter
2 cups of chicken broth, or more if you'd like
2 cups of water, less or more if you'd like
Dash of sea salt and pepper
Dash of cayenne pepper

Directions
1. Heat your favorite soup pot to medium heat. Add in 1 tablespoon of butter. Melt.
2. Add chopped onion and red pepper. Saute until desired softness. About 5 to 8 minutes.
3. Add in leeks. Saute another 5 minutes.
4. Add chicken stock and frozen corn, bring to a boil. Once boiled, turn heat to medium-low and let simmer.
5. Add in collard greens and pre-cooked quinoa.
6. Add in sea salt, pepper, cayenne pepper and rest of butter. Simmer for 5 minutes or so.
7. Place in your favorite serving dish.
8. Turn off all distractions, sit down by yourself or with your kids, family and/or friends, take a few deep breaths, say how much gratitude and LOVE you have for your food, your family, your life and DIG IN, slowly and savor the deliciousness!

Until next time...

Life IS...LOVING what you eat and eating what you LOVE! SAVOR it up! :)