Lentil, Swiss Chard, and Chicken Soup

Most people know that I love soup. It was probably in the 90s today and I made soup. I had my first bowl of this over a small organic sweet potato (Sarah Frankel bday girl style, just for you babe)! It was very yummy. Quality of pictures is poor because my batteries were going dear - and I think this directly effects the quality of zoom, lighting timing, and macro shooting.

Here you go: (and it is part of whole food month)

1 cup lentils, rinsed

4 cups water

4 cups homemade chicken broth (I cooked a whole chicken and used this)

pinch of sea salt

1 onion, chopped

4 large cloves garlic, chopped

evoo

1 bunch of swiss chard, stems removed, chopped

large pinch red pepper flakes

1/2 lemon (juice)

pepper

3 cups chopped chicken (from a whole raw chicken)

Cook lentils in broth, water, and salt until done but not mushy.

Saute onion in evoo for about 5 minutes, then add garlic and red pepper flakes. Add chard and cook for about 3 minutes. Add to lentils and cook for about 10 minutes. Add chicken, lemon, and pepper to taste. Enjoy!

Two Bean Italian Soup (2010.14)

Does a recipe ever surprise you? This was my question when I tasted this soup this afternoon - shortly after it perfumed my apartment with wonderful smelling-ness!

BHG's February 2008 magazine gave me this Tuscan Bean Soup. I only made 2 alterations to it. And, it is very yummy. I could drink the broth by the gallon!

So easy too. Don't be afraid of soups in the spring/summer...

1/2 bag baby carrots, chopped

1 smallish onion, chopped

1 large garlic clove, minced

2 T olive oil

2 cans reduced-sodium chicken broth (or make your own)

1 can great northern beans

1 can garbanzo beans (both beans, drained and rinsed)

3 tsp italian seasoning

1 pkg spinach

black pepper

Saute first two in olive oil till softened, add garlic. Then add the broth and the beans. Let simmer. Add the spinach and cook for about 30 seconds - then it is done. How easy and surprisingly healthy and good.

Red Wine Beef Stew

I made some yummy and healthy beef stew this weekend. Its good when you are sick, having company over, need something to last you all week, and to use up some yummy Sweet Red wine that is in the fridge. I picked up some good stuff at Trader Joes last weekend and this was a good use for it.

1.5 lbs lean beef chopped for stew

evoo

8 cups broth and wine combined (I used 7 cups chicken stock and 1 cup red wine)

1 onion, chopped

3 lbs red potatoes, chopped left skin on

2 carrots, chopped

5 celery stalks, chopped, plus leaves

2 T dried italian herbs

2 T worcestershire sauce

s/p to taste

Sear meat on both sides. Simmer in 4 cups of stock for 1 hour. Add all veggies, herbs, and rest of stock and wine. Let simmer for another 1 hr to 90 minutes. Eat with some bread.

We had 5 grain bread from Plehns (nearby bakery), a strawberry, walnut, feta, salad, and oreo cheesecake (bday celebration) for dessert. Then I went out and walked 2.5 miles!

Taste of Chicago - Grand Lux Cafe

We thought the bags looked pretty familiar when we walked in - we were right - this place is owned by the same folks who own Cheesecake Factory. You know its going to be good. And it was next door to Ann Taylor - so how bad could it bed? And it had a wait at 4pm? We only waited about 15 minutes and when we walked out - it was about an hour wait. Glad we got there early!

I was not anticipating a sit-down nice restaurant when I heard about this place from a friend just based on the name alone. I'm so glad we stopped there.

We had their bread - very good. I took lots of photos. I dropped my knife and fork - silly me. The tables were completely on top of each other, but people know how to dine. I couldn't tell you what the other folks were talking about at their table. Most of the time people talk so loud at restaurants. Our first waiter wasn't all that, but halfway through they changed shifts and our waitress was much better.

To start off with - the Edamame: stir fried with Spicy Szechwan Sauce. SO GOOD! Better than Chais in Durham (gasp!)

Then, Janel got the soup of the day - a chicken chowder with veggies. I took a bite - good and warm on a cold day.

I got the mini goat cheese and mushroom pizza. This was not mini (about 7 inches by 3 inches) and was only 4.95 and was AMAZING. I would go back there every time and order this.

For dessert (and take home): New Orleans Beignets Served Warm with Three Sauces (a creme anglaise (close your eyes and savor the warmth and richness good), chocolate, and raspberry. They were warm and yummy. Thanks Kathy for the suggestion.

This place was definitely the best place I ate all weekend and I would gladly go there again! :)

Pinto Bean Soup

I got inspired for more soup - and a cooked bag of pinto beans that I needed to use.
So, I threw this together last night when I got home from Chicago and look forward to eating it this week - and I froze a tub of it too.

5 cups cooked pinto beans (or however many you like)
2 cups chicken broth (a cool whip container of homemade broth)
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1 can of stewed tomatoes
cumin
red pepper flakes
pepper
sea salt
1 cup medium picante sauce

Mix all and heat through till boiling. I took a potato masher to it to make it a little thicker. Pretty good. You can add some hot sauce or some sausage would be a good way to change this soup up. Cheap, healthy, good.

Menu Week: January 18

Since I am going to be out having fun this wknd in the Chicago area with my friend, I thought I would go ahead and post the menu for next week.
I am doing good so far. Spending less money on food. Cooking more legumes. This week I am doing well at the start of cleaning out the freezer work that I will need to do in the next 2 months.
So, here goes:
Leftovers: hummus pancakes (yum!)
Monday: brunch in Chicago with Janel and then probably a hummus pancake on an arthur's thin when I get home.
I am housesitting all next week for some friends so I want something easy and portable that I can just grab or eat in bowls.
All breakfast: oats - saving money, healthy, and filling (and versatile) - T-Friday. Saturday will be tea and muffins I think with a friend over a book review
Lunch: curried vegetables from a recipe that I am adapting from Crostini and Chianti. Yummy and healthy - even without the couscous. Just give me a bowl
Wednesday I'm hitting the salad bar at Jason's Deli with a friend of mine - taking a break from work and I haven't been to the new one yet.
Saturday - beef stew from The Kitchn - using some steak and roast that I have in the freezer - full of veggies. And my friend is bringing a late bday offering - oreo cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory. Yes, there will be some running after that meal. And I have some bread in the freezer we are going to use to sop up all the goodness in the beef stew.
Recipe of the week is from Bon Appetit - Dried Cherry Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies. I am halving the recipe - and it will still make a lot - plenty for a plate for the office.
I am looking forward to picking up a few good finds in Trader Joes on Sunday - and dreaming of the day when I live within easy shopping distance of a TJ again!

Progresso Souper You Giveaway

Welcome to the first giveaway of the New Year. And if you are like many of Americans that make "health" resolutions at the beginning of every new year, then this giveaway is for you!
Progresso is doing a contest and here is their description of it:
Celebrate the New Year and a new you with Progresso Light and 100 Calorie Soups because from January 4 through March 15th, you and your readers can visit www.Progresso.com/SouperYou to enter the Progresso “Souper You Debut” contest for the chance to win a full makeover in New York City.

My Blog Spark is hosting a giveaway for blog readers! Yesterday, when I got back in the office, I had a huge box waiting for me. It had 15 cans of wonderful, yummy, healthy (some vegetarian), Progresso Soups. I don't have to buy lunches for a long time (which definitely helps out the checking account)! It also came with a beautiful blue Progresso Soup mug that had a nifty handle that fit one's thumb perfectly (for quality gripping when you are serving up a hot bowl of soup). Also included, to help with those fitness goals, was an automatic jump rope (which counted the turns for you and other information).

So, if you would like to help out your menu planning, check book, activity calendar, anything, just leave me a message saying what your fave soup is (and if it homemade, please share a recipe, because I love soups). You could win all that was mentioned above. I'll randomly pick a winner by Sunday night at 9pm. Thanks!
And, while you are on this blog, look over to the right and scroll down - I've got some yummy soups on there (I love soups year round!)

Thanks - and happy Soup-ing!

Easy Ranch Can Chili

This is a great recipe for a cold night, busy night, for those of you who like to cook, but don't like to cook. I altered this recipe from the Butterfly Garden Cafe cookbook (a tea room/restaurant here in Louisville). You can easily make this vegetarian by just omitting the chicken.

Needed:
a knife
a cutting board
a big pot
a spoon
a can opener

Ingredients:
spray pam (or for more fat - evoo or butter)
1 onion, chopped
1 can each: pinto beans, black beans, kidney beans. All undrained
1 can each: diced tomatoes, rotel (if you want it hotter - get hot rotel)
1 can corn, drained
2 cups cooked diced chicken
2 cups water
1 pkg each: ranch salad dressing mix, 1 red-sodium taco seasoning mix

Saute onion for 3-4 minutes. Add rest. Let cook together for about 30 minutes. Serve with your favorite taco toppings: cheese, sour cream, corn chips, tortilla chips, salsa, avocado, etc.
Makes a ton - at least 12 1-cup servings, probably more. So easy, freezable, healthy.

Bean Cuisine's White Bean Provencal Soup Mix

I NEVER use a soup mix - meaning I can't remember the last time I did. I got this as a gift more than a year ago and found it in my Kitchn Cure - knowing I need to use it up. So, I bought some chicken and decided to go for it.

This makes a TON, so I'm sharing it and will have it for a while. That is good because it is cheap, flavorful, healthy, and perfect for Fall. I love how easy it is to shred the chicken once is has poached in the liquid. So very good.

Spicy Adzuki Bean Soup

I had some leftover adzuki beans to use. And I have a fresh batch of freshly harvested sweet potatoes from my cousin's farm in AL. And I had some spinach that was desparately seeking usage! Progresso had sent me some of their chicken broth to use. And I had a can of coconut milk that had been sitting in my cupboard and thanks to Kitchen cure, I'm trying to use it up! So, here goes... (the outcome was better than I thought).

I got my inspiration from this dish - and it is fairly healthy and tasty (better than I thought it would be).

1 T canola oil

1/2 white onion, chopped

1 large garlic clove, minced

2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed

1 1/4 cup cooked adzuki beans

1 cup chopped carrots

32 0z reduced sodium chicken broth

1 inch (or more) grated fresh ginger

1 T light sesame oil (just helps with sodium content)

2 pinches red pepper flakes

1 tsp cayenne pepper

2 cups fresh spinach leaves (1/2 bag)

1/4 cup unsweetened coconut milk

Heat oil - and cook onion and garlic. Add sweet potatoes and carrots for a few minutes. Add in chicken broth through pepper. Let simmer for about 25 minutes or until potatoes and carrots are done. Mix in spinach till wilted. Remove from heat. Add in coconut milk. Serve!

This should have some bite to it and be sweet at the same time. Good for cool fall nights.

Menu Week: Oct 19

This week is definitely eating healthy, better, and less food than last week. While it was fun having my parents in town and eating out more often than usual - it doesn't do too good for the scale. Thankful this week gets back to normal!
Monday night I have a new friend over for soup, salad, and bread.

Friday night I get to bake some chocolate-y for a friend's bday grill out.

For me the rest of the week: leftovers (3 soups, baked oatmeal, turkey enchiladas), salads, fruit. This week's recipe is coming from Joy of Cooking - Sweet Potato Waffles (I'll make them with some cooked butternut squash I have leftover).

The picture is of me putting together some Chicken Orzo soup. Didn't really measure anything - but its really yummy (using leftovers). And its good for cool nights or for lunch in a cold office!

African Sweet Potato Soup with Azuki Beans (2009.38b)

This soup is just ok. I have only really gotten one good recipe out of this cookbook. It was one of the cookbooks of the week - Cooking Light Slow Cooker. I wanted to try this recipe because my brother and sister in law are serving in Ghana, Africa right now - and it is sweet potato season - so I try to do new things with them.
I'll eat it up, wouldn't share it with anyone, may even stick it in my blender and puree it to have a smooth soup. But, this is what I learn when going through cookbooks - not every recipe is a winner.

Layer everything in a slow cooker as listed:
1 onion, chopped
2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 1/2 cup cooked small red beans (I used Azuki beans, which I found in the Whole Food bulk aisle, they tasted like black eyed peas when cooked, looking forward to my leftovers)
1 1/2 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup water
1 red pepper, seeded and chopped
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 can diced tomatoes (I used italian diced tomatoes because its I had, couldn't taste a difference)
1 small can diced chilis

Cook on low for 8 hours. When done, take out a cup of the liquid and mix with:
3 T creamy peanut butter

Toss back in. Stir. Eat. Garnish with chopped peanuts and limes if you want.
It will be good on a cold fall evening, though - anything warm and out of a bowl.

About 200 calories per cup without peanuts on top.

Taco Soup

I know most people have a taco soup recipe. I usually am like my mother and make it differently each time. But, I thought I made a pretty good pot last night - so I thought I would share the recipe. It was perfect for a cool night with a movie and a friend. (and corn muffins - recipe coming)

1 lb ground turkey
1 red pepper, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 pack low sodium taco seasoning mix
1 28 oz can diced tomatoes
1 regular can rotel
24 oz low sodium chicken broth
1 can no salt added black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can no salt added kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 ear of corn, shucked

Cook turley and peppers and onions. Sprinkle with half of taco seasoning. Put all rest and cooked turkey and peppers in dutch oven with rest of seasoning. Bring to a boil. Let simmer for about 20 minutes. Serve topped with mexican cheese (and other things if you would like).

Corn muffins: 1 Jiffy Corn muffin mix. 1 8 oz can crushed pineapple with juice. Mix. Cook as directed. These are sweet and only 2 WW points! Much better than the 5 if you make them with egg and oil. These turn out more moist then the regular way.

Enjoy

Vegetable Barley Medley (2009.35)

This soup smelled good, tasted good (a little mushy), and was warm and filling. It is more of a stew than a soup because it wasn't very liquidy. But, the BHG Biggest Book of Slow Cooker Recipes comes through again. May not make into a rotation, but good enough to eat.

1 15 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 14 oz can chicken broth - low sodium
1 12 oz pkg shoepeg frozen corn
1 large onion, chopped
1/2 cup regular barley (I think I used quick cooking, so that may be the reason it was mushy)
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1 1/2 T italian seasoning
s/p to taste (or wait till you eat it)
2 medium squash, halved, sliced
1 T lemon juice
1 cup diced cooked chicken (I added this because I had some leftover and wanted to make a more hearty meal).

Add all to crockpot, high for 3.5 hours. Eat.

Whole Wheat Tortellini Soup with Summer Vegetables

My brother and sister in law gave me a subscription to Eating Well for this past Christmas. I have enjoyed the articles about healthy eating and vegetables and natural foods. It has been a good subscription. I found this recipe (and made a few changes) and it has been delicious this week for lunches.

1 T olive oil
1 large white onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 14 oz can fire roasted diced tomatoes
1 14 oz can regular diced tomatoes
2 cups chicken broth (preferably homemade)
1 1/2 cup hot water
1 T italian seasoning
pepper to taste
1 9 oz pkg refrigerated whole wheat cheese tortellini
2 medium zucchini, cut in half moons

Sauted onions, add garlic and red pepper. Add tomatoes, and broth, water, and italian seasonings. Let come to a boil. Add in tortellini for 6-7 minutes, then add in zuks, bring to a boil for 3 more minutes.
Serve.

Per 2 cup serving: 264, 9 fat, 8 fiber. I usually eat 1 1/2 cups, so it is still a hearty meal.

Summer Vegetable Crockpot Soup

It is no secret that i love soup! But, summer isn't the most popular time for soups because most people don't want to eat something hot when its above 90 outside. Well, this crockpot soup is a good bridge recipe. What do I mean? It is using summer vegetables and it is a soup - so it is a good bridge from Summer to Fall. In the Fall I probably eat soup once a day (or chicken salad). So, I thought I'd start off the last full week of August by making a soup - and Kroger had homegrown local zuks and squashes on sale.

Summer Vegetable Soup
4 zuks - sliced
2 squash - sliced
1 yellow onion - sliced
16-24 oz petite diced tomatoes (depending on how soupy you like your soup
1/3 cup dry white beans
1 cup water
1 cup spaghetti sauce (I used homemade roasted red pepper and tomato sauce)
32 oz chicken or veggie broth (i used chicken)
1 T italian seasoning (I used a tuscany blend I had)
1/2 cup small pasta (last 20 minutes of cooking, stir in)

Cook on low about 9.5 hours. Enjoy with some bread and a salad.

Summer Soup (2009.27)

This is this week's recipe of the week is from Vegetarian Express (thanks Lani). I changed this somewhat, definitely should have used veggie broth instead of water because it didn't have a lot of flavor. But, it will be a nice light soup all week for dinner.

Olive oil
1/2 gigantic onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, zested or chopped
1 red pepper, seeded and chopped
2 large tomatoes, seeded and chopped
2 large zucchini, halved and sliced
3 ears of corn, shucked (or frozen and put in there right out of freezer) - I roasted fresh corn then froze it and used that.
3 cups of water
s/p
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp lowry's season salt (I added)
1 cup milk (it called for this, but I didn't add it, just couldn't bring myself to do it).

Saute onions, garlic, and red pepper. Add in everything else and bring to a simmer. Let cook till desired doneness (about 15-20 minutes). Enjoy.
I really needed some salt in this soup! That is why I added the Lowry's season salt.
Very summery - just needs some salt.

Cauliflowe Chick Pea Stew

This was easy and delicious - served over rice or plain like I am having it today. Veggies and protein.

2 T olive oil
2 white onions, chopped
5 tsp curry powder
1 head cauliflower, cut into small florets
2 cans chick peas, drained
2 can diced tomatoes with green chilis
1 14 oz can light unsweetened coconut milk
s/p to taste
cilantro if desired

Heat onions in oil for about 8 minutes. Add in curry powder. Then the rest - bring to a boil, cover and simmer for about 20 minutes or until desired doneness.
This recipe is from May's Bon Appetit magazine. Its a winner.

Just OK Turkey Vatapa - 2009.9

I can cook Brazilian! ha!
Well, for the recipe of the week this week - Cooking Light 2003 - mom and I cooked a Brazilian dish to use up some roasted turkey breast (that was really dry when I bought it, but didn't want to waste it). I don't think its the best soup I've ever had - not even in the "I want to make this again" basket - but it is edible and I will eat it so it doesn't go to waste. And it is healthy for you - so that is probably the best thing about it.

Turkey Vatapa
1 tsp olive oil (or peanut)
1 small onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves
1 inch peeled grated fresh ginger
1 jalapeno, diced and seeded
1 cup water
1 28 oz can diced tomatoes
1/4 cup dry roasted peanuts, ground
3 cups turkey, chopped or shredded cooked
1 can coconut milk (I used a whole can, you were only supposed to use 1/2 cup - so that could be something - always read the recipe)
parsley and cilantro, chopped to taste
1 lime - juice

Heat onions, garlic,. Add ginger and pepper - add water and toms. Add everything else - let simmer. End with fresh herbs, lime juice, and s/p to taste. It gets better with time - but again, just ok, not even in the good category.
Can't wait to see what I'll make next week!

Rachael Ray's Winter Vegetable Stew (2009.7)

Rachael Ray is ok - definitely not my favorite. This soup is an example of that. I got this cookbook from my mentor, Phyllis. It is Rachael Ray 30 Minute Meals 2. This is the winter vegetable stew (p. 112). Its ok - especially since it is going to be a cool week and I am really wanting vegetables. I added the broth, white blush wine, and some cut up roasted turkey breast. Everything else is almost the same...

Olive oil
3 garlic cloves, smashed and peeled
1 onion, chopped
1 zucchini, chopped and quartered
16 oz mushrooms
1 14 oz can fire roasted tomatoes (she had 2 cans of regular tomatoes)
1 cup homemade chicken broth
1/2 cup white wine
1 can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1 1/2 tsp cumin
1 tsp rosemary
1 cup chopped roasted turkey breast

Saute, heat vegetables through with broth and wine, add turkey and seasonings, simmer for about 15 minutes. Enjoy.