Soup of the Day
Delicious, healthy meals-in-a-bowl
Mom was right! Research has shown that chicken soup has both anti-inflammatory and decongestant properties, offering soothing relief to cold symptoms. But don’t wait till you’re feeling under the weather to enjoy it. Just about any kind of soup can be comforting and a healthy choice, helping you to feel full and keep hydrated. Best of all, soup is a good way to get your family to eat more vegetables, so consider it a nutritious first or main course or even a snack.
Canned soups are convenient but can be very high in sodium, so be sure to check the label; choose a reduced-sodium version whenever possible. Check the serving sizes and calorie counts, too. Cream soups are sometimes high in calories, though making them at home with low-fat milk or simply by pureeing vegetables in the blender are great ways to get creamy texture without all the fat.
Making soup from scratch is easier than you think and doesn’t have to take all day. Potatoes add great body and texture to soups. Start by simmering a pot of chicken broth (homemade or purchased) or even water, and add diced peeled potatoes. When the potatoes are soft, mash them to make a base soup that can be varied with different seasonings and ingredients. Add milk, grated cheddar and corn to make corn chowder. Add chopped leeks sautéed in butter to make potato leek soup.
Another great way to make soup a hearty meal is with pasta. Tortellini, gnocchi and dried pasta cook up quickly and can be added to even plain chicken broth. Most soups can be frozen, so make large batches and store in individual servings for easy meals in a hurry.
Try this recipe for Chicken and Escarole soup, simmered in a light tomato broth.
Recipe for Chicken and Escarole soup
See other Refresh For Less articles:
