Confessions of a Foodie

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Showing posts with label Healthy Potato Leek & White Bean Soup. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Healthy Potato Leek & White Bean Soup. Show all posts

Monday, January 6, 2020

Meatless Monday

It's the first Meatless Monday. Here are six yummy vegetarian recipes to help you through the day, including Hearty Veggie Chili and Pumpkin Pie in a Sheet Pan. Enjoy!

EASY WHOLE WHEAT VEGETARIAN SPINACH LASAGNA

This is from Jolinda Hackett on The Spruce Eats. Jolinda wrote, “Easy whole wheat vegetarian lasagna with spinach baked in the oven with three kinds of cheeses. What's not to love? This is the perfect classic spinach lasagna recipe for the whole family!

“Make your vegetarian lasagna just a bit healthier by using this recipe, which calls for whole wheat lasagna noodles and spinach. Even though it uses whole wheat noodles, this Italian spinach lasagna is incredibly rich and creamy as it uses plenty of mozzarella, Parmesan, and low-fat cottage cheese. Of course, you don't have to use whole wheat lasagna noodles if you prefer the regular kind.

“This spinach lasagna recipe is courtesy of the Wheat Foods Council.”

Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 75 minutes; Total Time: 90 minutes; Yield: 10 servings

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 8-ounce package whole wheat lasagne noodles, cooked slightly (al dente)

1 9-ounce package frozen raw spinach (well thawed and drained)

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

3 eggs

3 cups low-fat cottage cheese

3 cups pre-made or store-bought pasta sauce

3 cups grated low-moisture part skim mozzarella cheese

Directions

Pre-heat the oven to 325 degrees F.

In a medium mixing bowl, beat the eggs then add the cottage cheese and Parmesan cheese. Spray a 13 x 9-inch glass baking dish with non-stick cooking spray or a homemade olive oil spray.

Put one layer of the slightly cooked lasagna noodles flat across the bottom of the baking dish. Add about half of the spinach, pressing down lightly and evenly over the noodles. Top with another layer of lasagna noodles. Top this layer of noodles with the cottage cheese mixture then add the remaining spinach. Then add the last of the lasagna noodles laid evenly on top of spinach.

Once you've layered everything, spread the pasta sauce evenly over the top and sprinkle the whole thing with mozzarella cheese. Press down lightly.

Cover baking dish with foil, using foil sprayed with cooking spray and keeping foil off the center of the lasagna. Secure sides tightly over baking dish.

Bake about 1 hour 15 minutes in oven. To lightly brown the top, remove foil for a few minutes at the end of baking time.

Allow to sit for 10 to 15 minutes before serving.

Nutritional Guidelines (per serving): 282 Calories; 12g Fat; 23g Carbs; 19g Protein

PUMPKIN PIE IN A SHEET PAN

This yummy pie comes from the Food Network, and begins, “Got a crowd that loves pumpkin pie? This giant dessert in sheet-cake form serves 16. We extended the height of a baking sheet with aluminum foil for a deeper crust that holds the double recipe and placed pie dough rounds around the perimeter for a pretty fanned crust.”

Level: Intermediate; Total: 11 hr (includes cooling and chilling times); Active: 1 hr; Yield: 16 servings

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

Dough:

Cooking spray

1 pound (4 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 1/4 cups confectioners' sugar

1 teaspoon kosher salt

5 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting

1 large egg

Filling:

Two 15-ounce cans pumpkin puree

2 1/2 cups heavy cream

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

4 large eggs, lightly beaten

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon grated nutmeg

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Whipped cream, for serving

Directions

Special equipment: a 10-by-15-inch rimmed baking sheet, 1 roll 18-inch-wide heavy-duty aluminum foil, a 1-inch round cookie cutter

Position an oven rack in the bottom of the oven, and preheat to 350 degrees F. Tear off two 24-inch pieces of 18-inch-wide heavy-duty aluminum foil. Line a 10-by-15-inch rimmed baking sheet with the foil, crisscrossing the pieces and leaving an overhang on all sides. Fold over each overhang so it stands upright and forms a sturdy wall about 3 inches high. Crimp the corners together, and lightly coat the bottom and sides with the cooking spray.

For the dough: Beat the butter, confectioners' sugar and salt in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high until smooth, about 1 minute. Add half the flour, and beat to incorporate; add the remaining flour, and beat until the dough just starts to come together in large, soft clumps. (It should hold together when squeezed.) Set aside 1/3 of the dough (for decorating the edges).

Press half the remaining dough into the bottom of the baking sheet until it is completely covered, with no gaps, about 1/4 inch thick. (The dough won't be completely smooth.) Press the remaining dough into and about 1 inch up the sides of the foil wall until the dough is about 1/4 inch thick and there are no gaps where the sides and bottom meet. Bake until the dough is light golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool completely on a rack.

Meanwhile, knead the reserved dough a few times to bring it together. Put it between 2 pieces of flour-dusted parchment; pat it into a disk, and roll it out to about 1/8 inch thick. Cut out about 50 rounds with a 1-inch round cookie cutter, gathering scraps and rerolling as needed. Lay all the rounds out on a parchment-lined baking sheet or platter, beat the egg with a little water and brush the tops of each round with the egg wash. Refrigerate until ready to use.

For the filling: Gently whisk together the pumpkin, cream, granulated sugar, eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and salt in a large bowl until blended well.

Pour the filling into the cooled pie shell. Press the rounds in a single line all around the edges of the crust. (It's OK if part of the round sinks into the filling slightly.) Bake until the filling is only slightly wiggly when shaken, 50 minutes to 1 hour. Let cool completely. Wrap and refrigerate overnight. Cut into squares, and serve with whipped cream.

Cook’s Note

When measuring flour, we spoon it into a dry measuring cup and level off the excess. (Scooping directly from the bag compacts the flour, resulting in dry baked goods.)

GLAZED CHOCOLATE-AVOCADO CUPCAKES

This comes from Vegetarian Times (posted on MAY 9, 2017), and begins, “Avocado replaces the eggs and most of the oil creating a rich, chocolatey batter that's ultra moist.”

Makes 12 servings

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

Cupcakes

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tsp. baking powder

3/4 tsp. baking soda

3/4 tsp. salt

1 avocado, pitted and peeled

1 cup pure maple syrup

3/4 cup plain soymilk

1/3 cup canola oil

2 tsp. vanilla extract

Glaze

1/4 block soft silken tofu (from 14-oz. container), drained and patted dry

3 Tbs. pure maple syrup

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1/8 tsp. salt

4 oz. semisweet vegan chocolate, melted

Preparation

To make Cupcakes:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners. Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in bowl. Purée avocado in food processor until smooth. Add maple syrup, soymilk, oil, and vanilla, and blend until creamy. Whisk avocado mixture into flour mixture.

Spoon batter into prepared cupcake cups. Bake 25 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into center comes out with some crumbs attached. Cool.

To make Glaze: Blend tofu, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt in food processor until smooth. Add chocolate to tofu mixture and blend until smooth. Transfer to bowl. Dip tops of Cupcakes into Glaze, pulling straight up from Glaze to form peaks.

Nutrition Information: Calories: 287; Carbohydrate Content: 44 g; Fat Content: 12.5 g; Fiber Content: 4 g; Protein Content: 4 g; Saturated Fat Content: 3 g; Sodium Content: 304 mg; Sugar Content: 24 g

HEARTY VEGGIE CHILI

This is from MorningStar Farms, and begins, “During the week, convenience is key. Here’s a way to turn Meal Starters Grillers® Recipe Crumbles® into a zesty chili. Just the right combination of red onion, tomatoes, kidney beans and zucchini complement the frozen crumbles for a family-pleasing chili.”

Prep Time: 35 minutes; Total Time: 35 minutes; Servings: 6

To view this online click here.

Ingredients

1 cup coarsely chopped red onions, divided

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 teaspoons vegetable oil

2 tablespoons chili powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 can (28 oz.) crushed tomatoes

1 can (14.5 oz.) diced tomatoes

1 can (15 oz.) kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1 1/2 cups water

1 teaspoon sugar

1 teaspoon dried basil leaves

1 package (12 oz.) Morningstar Farms® Meal Starters Grillers® Recipe Crumbles®

2 1/2 cups coarsely chopped zucchini

Shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

Parsley sprigs (optional)

Directions

In nonstick Dutch oven cook 3/4 cup of the onion and garlic in hot oil until tender. Stir in chili powder and cumin. Cook and stir for 1 minute more.

Stir in crushed tomatoes, kidney beans, undrained diced tomatoes, water, sugar and basil. Bring to boiling. Reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Stir in MORNINGSTAR FARMS MEAL STARTERS GRILLERS RECIPE CRUMBLES and zucchini. Return to boiling. Reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes more. Ladle into serving bowls. Serve topped with the remaining 1/4 cup onion, cheddar cheese and parsley (if desired).

HEALTHY POTATO, LEEK, AND WHITE BEAN SOUP

This comes from Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RDN, LD, on VeryWellFit. Kaleigh wrote, “If you have high blood pressure, it is usually best to avoid canned soup or soup bought at restaurants. They contain lots of sodium, and if they are creamy they'll have extra saturated fat. Potato soup, in particular, is commonly made with heavy cream, bacon, cheese, and sour cream, but just because you are trying to eat healthier doesn’t mean you have to miss out on it.

“This potato, leek, and white bean soup is loaded with flavor thanks to sauteed leeks and potatoes cooked in low sodium chicken or vegetable broth. Then white beans are blended in, resulting in a smooth, creamy texture with tons of flavor and nutrition.”

Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Servings: 8 (1 cup each).

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 teaspoon olive oil

3 cloves garlic (smashed)

1 leek (rinsed and cut in half lengthwise

4 cups potatoes (peeled and cubed)

3 cups low sodium chicken (or vegetable broth)

1 15-ounce can no added salt white beans

1/2 teaspoon black pepper (freshly cracked)

Bacon (cooked and crumbled)

Chives (chopped)

Nonfat plain Greek yogurt

Directions

Heat oil over low heat in the bottom of a heavy-bottomed pot.

Chop leeks and save greens for another use. Add the white part of leeks and garlic to the stock pot and cook, stirring, until softened. Add potatoes and broth and simmer, covered, until potatoes are soft, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer all contents to a blender. Add white beans and pepper and blend until smooth.

Pour into bowl and garnish each with a dollop of yogurt, a teaspoon of chives, and a teaspoon of crumbled bacon (optional).

Ingredient Variations and Substitutions

This healthier version of potato soup provides plenty of fiber and plant-based protein and can be made vegan by using vegetable broth. If you aren’t vegetarian, feel free to top your soup with a dollop of plain greek yogurt, a tiny bit of crumbled bacon, and chives for even more flavor.

For dairy-free, leave off yogurt.

Cooking and Serving Tips

If you like your soup more chunky, leave half of the beans and half of the potatoes when blending, and stir them back in at the end.

This soup makes a delicious and filling lunch along with a side salad or on its own. The recipe makes a big batch, so you can portion it out to eat all week long.

POTATOES AU GRATIN

This recipe begins, “You say potatoes, we say we've got a great au gratin dish on our hands. Even the most novice cook can throw together this gourmet-tasting grub on the fly. It's got plenty of 'appeal'!”

Servings: for 12 people.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

32 ounces frozen hash browns

1 can (10.75 oz.) condensed cream of celery soup

1 can (10.75 oz.) condensed cream of celery soup

1 1/2 cups can condensed cream of potato soup

8 ounces container sour cream

1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1 small finely chopped onion

1 green bell pepper, finely chopped

Directions

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan. Spread frozen hash browns into the bottom of the prepared pan. Mix together potato soup, celery soup, onion, green bell pepper and sour cream; pour mixture over the potatoes. Bake in the oven at 300 degrees for 60 minutes. Remove from the oven, sprinkle with cheese, and bake another 30 minutes or until the cheese melts.

Wednesday, May 22, 2019

Soup's On!

Is there anything more comforting that a bowl of homemade soup? Maybe...but maybe not. Today's six soup recipes include Basil Chicken Soup and Turkey Bean Soup. Enjoy!

RED LENTIL SOUP WITH LEMON

This comes from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, “This is a lentil soup that defies expectations of what lentil soup can be. It is light, spicy and a bold red color (no murky brown here): a revelatory dish that takes less than an hour to make. The cooking is painless. Sauté onion and garlic in oil, then stir in tomato paste, cumin and chile powder and cook a few minutes more to intensify flavor. Add broth, water, red lentils (which cook faster than their green or black counterparts) and diced carrot, and simmer for 30 minutes. Purée half the mixture and return it to the pot for a soup that strikes the balance between chunky and pleasingly smooth. A hit of lemon juice adds an up note that offsets the deep cumin and chile flavors.”

Yield: 4 servings; Time: 45 minutes.

This was featured in “A Lentil Soup to Make You Stop, Taste and Savor”, and can be viewed online here.

The Times has two more links with this recipe that come in handy: “How to Make Soup,” a guide by Samin Nosrat and “How to Cook Beans,” a guide by Melissa Clark. Both of these are extremely helpful when making homemade soup and/or cooking beans. I highly recommend both.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil, more for drizzling

1 large onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, more to taste

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Pinch of ground chile powder or cayenne, more to taste

1 quart chicken or vegetable broth

2 cups water

1 cup red lentils

1 large carrot, peeled and diced

Juice of 1/2 lemon, more to taste

3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Preparation

In a large pot, heat 3 tablespoons oil over high heat until hot and shimmering. Add onion and garlic, and sauté until golden, about 4 minutes.

Stir in tomato paste, cumin, salt, black pepper and chili powder or cayenne, and sauté for 2 minutes longer.

Add broth, 2 cups water, lentils and carrot. Bring to a simmer, then partially cover pot and turn heat to medium-low. Simmer until lentils are soft, about 30 minutes. Taste and add salt if necessary.

Using an immersion or regular blender or a food processor, purée half the soup then add it back to pot. Soup should be somewhat chunky.

Reheat soup if necessary, then stir in lemon juice and cilantro. Serve soup drizzled with good olive oil and dusted lightly with chili powder if desired.

HEALTHY POTATO, LEEK, AND WHITE BEAN SOUP

This comes from Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RDN, LD, on VeryWellFit. Kaleigh wrote, “If you have high blood pressure, it is usually best to avoid canned soup or soup bought at restaurants. They contain lots of sodium, and if they are creamy they'll have extra saturated fat. Potato soup, in particular, is commonly made with heavy cream, bacon, cheese, and sour cream, but just because you are trying to eat healthier doesn’t mean you have to miss out on it.

“This potato, leek, and white bean soup is loaded with flavor thanks to sauteed leeks and potatoes cooked in low sodium chicken or vegetable broth. Then white beans are blended in, resulting in a smooth, creamy texture with tons of flavor and nutrition.”

Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Servings: 8 (1 cup each).
br />To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 teaspoon olive oil

3 cloves garlic (smashed)

1 leek (rinsed and cut in half lengthwise

4 cups potatoes (peeled and cubed)

3 cups low sodium chicken (or vegetable broth)

1 15-ounce can no added salt white beans

1/2 teaspoon black pepper (freshly cracked)

Bacon (cooked and crumbled)

Chives (chopped)

Nonfat plain Greek yogurt

Directions

Heat oil over low heat in the bottom of a heavy-bottomed pot.

Chop leeks and save greens for another use. Add the white part of leeks and garlic to the stock pot and cook, stirring, until softened. Add potatoes and broth and simmer, covered, until potatoes are soft, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer all contents to a blender. Add white beans and pepper and blend until smooth.

Pour into bowl and garnish each with a dollop of yogurt, a teaspoon of chives, and a teaspoon of crumbled bacon (optional).

Ingredient Variations and Substitutions

This healthier version of potato soup provides plenty of fiber and plant-based protein and can be made vegan by using vegetable broth. If you aren’t vegetarian, feel free to top your soup with a dollop of plain greek yogurt, a tiny bit of crumbled bacon, and chives for even more flavor.

For dairy-free, leave off yogurt.

Cooking and Serving Tips

If you like your soup more chunky, leave half of the beans and half of the potatoes when blending, and stir them back in at the end.

This soup makes a delicious and filling lunch along with a side salad or on its own. The recipe makes a big batch, so you can portion it out to eat all week long.

BASIL CHICKEN SOUP

Prep Time: 15 Minutes; Cost: $; Servings: 4; Difficulty Level: 2

Source: The Diabetic Newsletter

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/basil-chicken-soup

Ingredients

1 tablespoon butter or margarine

1 large onion, chopped

1 clove garlic, pressed or minced

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

3-1/2 cups chicken broth (low-sodium)

1 large russet potato, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes

1 cup diced cooked chicken

1/2 cup chopped fresh basil

1/2 cup shredded light jarlsberg cheese

Directions

In a 2 to 3 quart pan, combine butter, onion, and garlic. Stir occasionally over medium heat until onion is limp and slightly tinged with brown, about 10 minutes. Stir in flour to coat onion. Gradually stir in broth, and bring to a boil on high heat.

Add potato; cover and simmer over low heat until potato is tender when pierced, 15 to 20 minutes. Add chicken; cover and simmer just until chicken is hot, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in basil. Ladle into bowl and offer cheese to add to taste.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 237; Fat: 5.1 g; Sodium: 168 mg; Protein: 19 g; Carbohydrates: 19 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Starch, 2-1/2 Low-Fat Meat

TURKEY BEAN SOUP

This comes from The Mayo Clinic Diet, and can be found online here.

I highly recommend checking out the site. Good food, tied in with the Mayo Clinic, so you can figure it’s not some fly-by-night junk food, but good tasting food that’s good for you.

Serves 4

Ingredients

1 pounds turkey, lean ground breast meat

2 medium onions, chopped

2 stalks celery, chopped

1 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 cup ketchup

1 can tomatoes (14.5 ounces), diced, no salt added

3 pieces bouillon, chicken, low-sodium

7 cups water

1 1/2 teaspoon basil, dried, crushed

1/4 teaspoon pepper, black ground

2 cups cabbage, shredded

1 cans cannellini beans (15 ounces), no-salt-added, drained

Directions

In a large saucepan, cook the ground turkey, onion, celery and garlic until the vegetables are softened and the turkey is cooked.

Drain off the fat and add the ketchup, tomatoes, bouillon, water, basil, pepper, cabbage and beans.

Bring to a boil and reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes.

HEALTHIFIED BROCCOLI CHEDDAR SOUP

This yummy recipe is from the Food Network. Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Yield: 6 servings; Level: Easy

This can be viewed online by clicking here.

Ingredients

1 bunch broccoli

1 small onion, finely chopped

1 medium red-skinned potato, diced

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

3 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

1 cup grated extra-sharp Cheddar

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

One 12-ounce can fat-free evaporated milk

2 scallions, thinly sliced

Directions

Separate the stems and the florets from the broccoli. Trim and discard the bottom of the broccoli stems and peel the tough outer layers. Finely chop the stems and coarsely chop the florets and set aside separately.

Mist a large pot with nonstick cooking spray and heat over medium heat. Add the broccoli stems, onions and potatoes and cook, stirring, until softened, 7 to 10 minutes. Add the flour and cook, stirring, until lightly toasted, about 2 minutes. Stir in the broth and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to maintain a simmer and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened and the vegetables are tender, 12 to 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, combine the reserved florets and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, cover and continue to steam until the florets are bright green and crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Add the entire contents of the pot with the florets to the soup along with the nutmeg. Stir to combine and remove from the heat. Stir in the Cheddar, Worcestershire and milk. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with the scallions.

Cook’s Note

Leftover soup should be reheated in the microwave rather than the stovetop, where the cheese will "break" or separate from the broth.

CHICKPEA SOUP

Recipe Yield: Serves: 6 (1-cup) Servings

Source: Light and Easy Diabetes Cuisine

Book Title: Light and Easy Diabetes Cuisine

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/chickpea-soup.

Ingredients

1 teaspoon virgin olive oil

1 small onion, chopped

1 garlic clove, minced

1 celery stalk, sliced

1 carrot, sliced

1/2 small red bell pepper, diced

1 cup canned Italian plum tomatoes with liquid

1/2 tsp dried leaf basil, or 1-1/2 tsp chopped fresh basil

1 cup canned chickpeas (garbanzos), rinsed, drained

4 cups Chicken Broth

Pepper to taste

Directions

In a non-stick saucepan, heat the oil and cook onion, garlic and celery 5 minutes. Add remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, covered, 20 minutes.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 74; Fat: 1 g; Sodium: 96 mg; Protein: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 13 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Starch/Bread