Some of Renee Zellweger’s cabbage soup ingredients. PHOTO: Stock image

Renee Zellweger, an acclaimed actress known for her roles in “Bridget Jones’s Diary” and “Jerry Maguire,” also has a passion for healthy living and simple, nutritious meals.

This cabbage soup recipe is one she enjoys for its wholesome ingredients and comforting flavors. It’s an ideal dish for those looking to incorporate more vegetables into their diet while enjoying a hearty and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Olive oil: 2 tablespoons
Yellow onion: 1, chopped
Red bell pepper: 1, seeds removed and chopped
Carrots: 2, diced
Celery ribs: 2, diced
Garlic cloves: 4, minced
Bay leaf: 1
Dried thyme: 1/2 teaspoon
Dried basil: 1/2 teaspoon
Dried oregano: 1/4 teaspoon
Kosher salt: 1 teaspoon
Black pepper: 1/2 teaspoon
Cabbage: 1/2 head, chopped (about 5 cups)
Diced fire-roasted tomatoes: 28 ounces
Vegetable broth: 5 cups
Lemon juice: 1-2 tablespoons
Fresh parsley: For garnish

Directions

STEP 1
Prepare: In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion, red pepper, carrots, and celery. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes.

STEP 2
Incorporate: Add the minced garlic, bay leaf, thyme, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute to release the flavors.

STEP 3
Mix: Add the chopped cabbage to the pot and cook until the cabbage is tender, stirring frequently. This should take about 5 minutes.

STEP 4
Combine: Add the diced tomatoes and vegetable broth. Turn the heat to low and let the soup simmer for about 10 minutes or until all the vegetables are soft and the flavors are well combined.

STEP 5
Finish: Stir in the lemon juice and fresh parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if necessary. Remove the bay leaf before serving. Ladle the soup into bowls and serve warm.

Renee Zellweger enjoys serving this cabbage soup particularly during the colder months as a comforting and healthy meal.

Renee Zellweger’s cabbage soup. PHOTO: Stock image

It’s a dish she appreciates for its warmth and nutritious ingredients, making it perfect for cozy dinners at home. Enjoy this delightful soup with a slice of crusty bread for a complete, wholesome meal.

Cabbage soup is suitable for the following diets: Vegetarian Diet, Vegan Diet, Paleo Diet, and Keto Diet.

Michelle Obama participates in a “Let’s Move!” taping with Richard Sherman. PHOTO: Amanda Lucidon

Michelle Obama is deeply passionate about healthy eating, a commitment she highlighted as First Lady with her “Let’s Move!” campaign. This effort aimed to improve eating habits across the U.S.

One of her favorite recipes from this time is the White House Kitchen Garden Spring Soup. It features fresh vegetables from the White House garden, emphasizing her belief in simple, nutritious meals. This tasty soup not only reflects her cooking style but also her support for using local, fresh produce.

Ingredients

Broth: 6 cups of chicken or vegetable broth
Leeks: 3 leeks, white and light green parts only, cleaned and sliced
Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
Carrots: 2 carrots, peeled and diced
Potatoes: 2 large Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced
Asparagus: 1 bunch of asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
Peas: 1 cup of fresh or frozen peas
Spinach: 2 cups of fresh spinach leaves
Salt: To taste
Pepper: To taste
Lemon Juice: From 1 lemon
Olive Oil: For sautéing

Directions

STEP 1
Prepare the vegetables: In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the leeks and garlic, sautéing until they are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.

STEP 2
Simmer the soup: Add the carrots and potatoes to the pot, stirring to combine. Pour in the broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and let it simmer until the vegetables are just tender, about 10 minutes.

STEP 3
Add the remaining vegetables: Stir in the asparagus and peas, and continue to simmer for another 5 minutes, until these vegetables are tender yet still vibrant and crisp.

STEP 4
Finish with spinach and seasoning: Add the spinach leaves and cook until just wilted. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste, and add fresh lemon juice for a hint of brightness.

STEP 5
Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls, ensuring a good mix of vegetables in each. Serve hot, perhaps with a drizzle of olive oil or a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.

This recipe from Michelle Obama not only provides a nourishing meal but also invites families to share a moment of wellness and enjoyment around the dinner table.

Another garden spring soup version. PHOTO: Stock image

Beautifully cooked roast chicken. PHOTO: Stock image

Dua Lipa, the globally renowned singer and songwriter, has a passion for cooking that she shares with her fans through her podcast series, “At Your Service.” Known for her vibrant personality and multi-faceted talents, Dua often brings her creative flair into the kitchen.

One of her favorite recipes to make is a classic roast chicken, which she describes as perfect for any occasion, from casual weeknight dinners to special gatherings with friends and family. Dua’s approach to cooking is all about simplicity and flavor, making her roast chicken recipe accessible to cooks of all skill levels.

Ingredients

Whole chicken: 1
Vegetables (e.g., carrots, potatoes, red onions, garlic): Various quantities as preferred
Extra virgin olive oil: Generous amount
Salt and pepper: To taste
Fresh or dried herbs: Handful (your choice)
Lemon: 1

Directions

STEP 1
Preparation: Take your chicken out of the fridge half an hour before cooking to bring it to room temperature. Set your oven to 240°C (approximately 450°F).

STEP 2
Vegetables: Wash and prepare your chosen vegetables. Chop the tops and bottoms off and then halve them widthwise and lengthwise. Leave the skin on the red onions, chopping just the tops off. Repeat with the garlic.

STEP 3
Roasting Pan: Place all your vegetables in a large metal roasting tin and lay the chicken on top of them.

STEP 4
Seasoning: Cover the contents of the tin with extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper. Add a handful of fresh or dried herbs, placing some on the chicken wings and mixing the rest with the vegetables.

STEP 5
Lemon: Cut the lemon in half and place it inside the chicken.

STEP 6
Cooking: Reduce the oven temperature to 200°C (approximately 400°F) before placing the chicken inside. Roast for 80 minutes, basting with its own juices halfway through the cooking time.

STEP 7
Resting: Once the chicken is cooked, let it rest for 15 minutes before serving. Ensure to remove the onion and garlic skins before enjoying your meal.

Cutting the roast chicken. PHOTO: Stock image

Make Meryl Streep’s delightful Pistachio Rose Heart Cookies and enjoy her creations on your own plate.

Rose Heart Cookies. PHOTO: Stock image

Meryl Streep, known for her amazing acting skills in over 80 films throughout her career, also enjoys spending time in the kitchen. She loves experimenting with different flavors and creating delicious treats for her friends and family.

One of her favorite recipes is Pistachio Rose Heart Cookies. These cookies combine the subtle taste of rose water with the warm spice of cardamom and the crunch of pistachios. This recipe shows off Meryl’s knack for blending interesting ingredients to make something truly delightful.

Ingredients

Butter: 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks), softened
Honey: 3/4 cup
Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon
Rose water: 2 teaspoons
Cardamom: 1 teaspoon
Pistachios: 2/3 cup, finely ground
Whole wheat flour: 1 3/4 cups
All-purpose flour: 1 3/4 cups
Semisweet chocolate chips: 1/2 cup, for melting
Chopped pistachios: for garnish

Directions

STEP 1
Instructions: Cream together the butter, honey, vanilla extract, and rose water in a large bowl until smooth.

STEP 2
Instructions: Add the finely ground pistachios, cardamom, and both flours to the butter mixture. Mix until thoroughly combined.

STEP 3
Instructions: Divide the dough into 4 sections, wrap each in parchment paper, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.

STEP 4
Instructions: Preheat the oven to 325°F. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each dough section to about 1/8 inch thickness. Use a 3-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out cookies and place them on an ungreased cookie sheet.

STEP 5
Instructions: Bake the cookies for 13-15 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned. Let them cool on the cookie sheet for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

STEP 6
Instructions: Melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler or microwave. Using the back of a spoon, draw a heart shape with the melted chocolate in the center of each cookie and sprinkle with chopped pistachios.

Enjoy these lovely cookies that showcase Meryl Streep’s creative touch in the kitchen.

Heart-shaped cookies. PHOTO: Stock image

Justin Timberlake’s coconut cake with peaches added. PHOTO: Stock image

Singer-actor Justin Timberlake is a big name in entertainment, but he also has a keen interest in the cooking world. Along with his wife, Jessica Biel, he enjoys creating and sharing recipes close to his heart.

One such cherished recipe is his Granny’s Coconut Cake. It reflects the warmth and tradition of his family, similar to the inviting and unique experiences offered at his Nashville restaurant, the Twelve Thirty Club. This recipe is an example of how Justin connects his family’s heritage with his love for good food.

Ingredients

White Cake Mix: 1 box (18.25 oz)
Sour Cream: 8 oz
Sugar: 1 1/2 cups
Sweetened Flake Coconut: 3 packages (7 oz each)

Directions

STEP 1
Prepare the Cake: Follow the package directions to make the white cake mix using two round pans. After baking, let the cakes cool, then cut each horizontally to create four layers.

STEP 2
Mix Ingredients: In a bowl, combine the sour cream, sugar, and two packages of coconut. Spread this mix over each cake layer as you place them on a serving plate.

STEP 3
Frost the Cake: Use the remaining coconut mix to frost the outside of the cake. Then, press the coconut from the third package onto the top and sides of the cake.

STEP 4
Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the cake to set the frosting. Serve it at room temperature for optimal flavor.

This Coconut Cake recipe is a testament to the warm, homey flavors that Justin Timberlake grew up with, and it reflects his ongoing connection to family and tradition through food.

Have a slice of Justin Timberlake’s coconut cake. PHOTO: Stock image