Soup: Its what’s for dinner. A great alternative for your family.
Soup it’s what’s for dinner!
I read an article a few weeks ago that said people who have soup before dinner instead of the standard salad eat 30% less at dinner and are more satisfied than salad eaters. I thought that was interesting, in talking to people for years a salad seems to give us permission to indulge in whatever we choose , as if that salad started the meal in the negative. 🙂 We are an interesting bunch.
But in reality soup is comforting and a perfect alternative for lunch and dinner.
It is one of the easiest things to make and throw in the crockpot before work. The soups on the shelves of the grocery store are full of sodium and sat fat and are not always the best choice. There are some that are really great but look closely at you a label. Look for low sodium and saturated fat and sugar.
I love soups and we have them for dinner often. Here are some tasty suggestions. All of these can be put in the crock pot or stove top. Crock pot just lets the flavors blend together more and you know you are coming home to it after a long day.
Try these soup recipes for your family.
French Onion Soup.
I Love this one. Great left over too. You can double this recipe and freeze in individual container.
Start with 4 large onions cut into slices add 2 TBs olive oil lots of salt and pepper and Mrs Dash onion garlic seasoning (I used 1 TB each of the flavored garlic and butter) Cook on high for 3 to 4 hours stir turn down to low for 4 hours. ( you can do low over night). Perfectly caramelized onions. Add 32 oz low sodium beef broth 4TB Worcester sauce. Cook a couple of hours on low. You can also freeze the onions and use anywhere it calls for caramelized onions. SP 2 per cup. Serve with crusty bread and Swiss cheese.
I make a whole crock pot full of chicken breasts ( throw frozen into crock pot cook on low for 4 to 6 hours.) and then dice and shred and use for various things. These 2 soups are a couple of our favorites.
Chicken Enchilada Soup
(You choose your heat level)
1 large onion, 1 small can green chilis, 2 cans of rotel tomatoes, 2 cans green enchilada sauce ( I love hatches medium), 4 cooked chicken breasts diced or shredded,( you can also use canned chicken but it has a high sodium content) 2 cups water. Cook on low all day in crockpot. Top each bowl with a lime squeeze. Serve with shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado and tortilla chips or tortillas.
Chicken Noodle Soup
1 bag frozen mirepoix (onions, celery, carrots) I keep bags of it in my freezer, 1 bag frozen corn, 2 32 oz containers of chicken stock. 1 pound diced or shredded chicken. This can be a 20 minute recipe or you can leave in slow cooker all day. Add wide egg noodles in the last 10 minutes and boil if doing on stove top. Turn crock pot up to high and throw in noodles for 30 minutes. Check them often to be sure they are cooking and not over cooking. You can thicken this soup with 1/4 cup chicken stock and 1/4 cup flour. Serve with crusty bread.
Lightened up Potato Soup
Ingredients
2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cubed 1.13 ounces all-purpose flour (about 1/4 cup) 2 cups 2% reduced-fat milk 1 cup unsalted chicken stock (such as Swanson) 3/4 cup light sour cream 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 2 1/2 ounces sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded (about 2/3 cup) 6 center-cut bacon slices, cooked and crumbled 3 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
How to Make It:
Place potatoes in a Dutch oven; add cool water to cover by 2 inches. Bring to a boil over high heat; reduce heat to medium, and simmer until tender, 11 to 14 minutes. Remove from heat; drain. Return potatoes to pan; mash with a potato masher to desired consistency. Weigh or lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Whisk together flour, milk, and stock in a medium bowl. Stir milk mixture into potatoes; cook over medium, stirring often, until thickened and bubbly, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in sour cream, salt, and pepper. Ladle soup into 6 bowls; top with cheese, bacon, and chives. Serve with crusty bread.
Winter is the perfect time to make batches of soup and enjoy snuggled up in front of a fire.
Coming soon Chili recipes.
Live a Life you Love ❤️
Paris
