Join KindChef Deb online for KindSoup as we make Lemon Rice Soup (based on this recipe from Crowded Kitchen). After completing your soup, and sharing some with your family, freeze and label the rest for donation, then drop off at one of our participating food assistance providers.
Lemon Rice Soup
- 1/2 cup olive oil or vegan butter
- 3 cups diced yellow onion
- I T. minced garlic
- 3 cups celery, diced (~ 6 stalks)
- 4 ½ cup carrots, diced (~ 3 large carrots)
- 3-15oz. can of cannellini beans, drained and rinsed (can sub Navy or Great Northern)
- 18 cups low sodium vegetable broth, divided
- 1 ½ cups dry arborio rice (can sub jasmine, basmati or wild rice)
- 3/4 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice, divided (from 3 lemons)
- 2 tsp salt
- ¾ tsp black pepper
- 4 bay leaves
- 6 cups spinach (about 6 oz)
- 1 bunch fresh parsley, chopped
- ½ bunch fresh dill, chopped (about 6 T)
- 6 T fresh oregano, chopped (or 1 T dried)
Soup Instructions
- Heat oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring often, until translucent.
- Add garlic, celery and carrots and continue cooking for 5-7 minutes.
- Meanwhile, add cannellini beans and two cups of vegetable broth to a bowl. Blend with immersion blender until smooth and creamy (Alternatively, you can use a regular blender.)
- Add puréed beans, remaining 16 cups of broth, rice, ½ cup lemon juice, salt, pepper and bay leaves to pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and let simmer for 20-25 minutes until rice is almost tender.
- Stir in spinach, herbs and remaining lemon juice. Let cook for additional 5 minutes. Serve and enjoy!
Note: For a meal option, you may stir in cooked, shredded chicken or cubed sauteed tofu in the final minutes of cooking time. If sharing the chicken version, please remember to indicate “contains chicken” on your label.
Health and Safety Information
In order to protect the the quality of our KindSoup program, we ask that volunteers conscientiously observe the following guidelines:
- Start with clean hands and wash again frequently as needed throughout the cooking process.
- Start with clean kitchen surfaces and utensils (antibacterial wipes do a great job).
- Keep longer hair tied back.
- Follow other common sense procedures, such as never returning a tasting spoon to the pot!
Thank you for maintaining a high cleanliness standard for our KindSoup donations!
See you soon!!
How to Donate Your KindSoup
Seal containers with a tight lid and freeze. Label each container with: date prepared, your first name and last initial, “Lemon Rice Soup” and any relevant food allergy info (which we will discuss on the call). As soon as is convenient, drop containers of frozen soup off at one of the following participating food assistance providers, and can give one quart away also to a person or family that is in your heart and/or going through a difficult time. You will report all KindSoups that you shared – with to the food assistance organization, or to those people whom you know.
- 5171 Manning Place NW (in the Palisades neighborhood in DC). leave in freezer outside front door. NOTE: Soups dropped here must be vegetarian or Halal only, please.
- Here2Help @ Bethesda Presbyterian Church, 7611 Clarendon Road, Bethesda. (Go down driveway next to brick house just before the church on Clarendon and look for coolers labeled for soup donations). Drop off Sundays, 10 am-12 noon.
- Homes Not Borders 3610 East St., Landover. Drop off daily 10 am-2 pm. NOTE: Soups dropped here must be vegetarian or Halal only, as they will be shared with newly arriving refugee families in the area.
- Rainbow Community Development Center 12120 Tech Road, Silver Spring (this takes you to the rear parking lot and loading dock – there is usually a large RAINBOW truck parked here): Drop-off Monday-Friday 9am-2pm. NOTE: If you go during Rainbow’s food distributions on Tuesdays/Thursdays from 9am-noon, you may see a long line of cars – you can drive past the cars to drop off your KindSoup. If you go at other times and the garage or back door is not open, call or text Anna on her personal cell at 301-852-4184 (if she doesn’t answer, leave a message and she should get back within a few minutes, or try calling the Rainbow Pantry cellphone: 240-639-2293).
- Upcounty Consolidation Hub 12900 Middlebrook Rd., Germantown (supporting 1,000 families with food and other supports). Drop off Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Fridays 8 am-4:30 pm.
- Embry Rucker Shelter 11975 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston, 703-437-1975. Leave donations on the table around the back. Drop off anytime!
- NYC Community Fridges located throughout New York City.
- Bread and Roses 58 Newbury St., Lawrence, Mass., 978-681-8768. Drop off Mondays-Thursdays, 10 am-4 pm.
- The Bristol Lodge 27 Lexington St., Waltham, Mass., 781-893-0108. Drop off Mondays-Fridays, 9am-6pm.
- Community Refrigerators located in Los Angeles
See you in the KindSoup kitchen!
Learn more about this KindWorks program
