Lentil Soup with Lime Juice

Lentil Soup with Lime Juice

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour
Makes: 9 cups
Serving Size 3/4 cup

Ingredients

1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 pound dried lentils, washed and picked over
8 cups cold water
1 teaspoon salt
1⁄2 teaspoon each black pepper and ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried thyme or oregano
3 bay leaves
1 can (4 ounces) mild green chilies, drained and chopped
1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded, and finely chopped
1 carrot, peeled and finely chopped
1⁄3 cup fresh lime juice or to taste (or 1 tablespoon lemon juice)

Directions

1. In a large saucepan, sauté the onion in vegetable oil over medium high heat (350 degrees in an electric skillet).
2. Add lentils, water, salt, pepper, cumin, thyme or oregano and bay leaves. Bring to a boil. Lower the heat to medium low (250 degrees in an electric skillet). Cover and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Add the green chilies, red bell pepper and carrots. Simmer 15 more minutes or until the lentils are very soft.
4. Before serving, remove and discard the bay leaves and stir in the lime juice. Serve hot.
5. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Try topping soup with a dollop of sour cream and chopped tomatoes.
• This soup is also good if a potato, another carrot, and celery are added.
• Eliminate the chilies and cumin if you do not want the Mexican flavors.
• Freeze extra lime juice to use later

Creamy Potato Leek Soup

Creamy Potato Leek Soup

Prep time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Makes: 8 cups

Ingredients

3 leeks (about 3 cups diced
3 potatoes (about 3 cups diced)
2 Tablespoons butter or margarine
4 1⁄2 cups chicken broth
1⁄4 cup 1% milk
2 garlic cloves, minced or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1⁄2 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

1. Remove root and green tops from leeks.  Slice in half lengthwise and rinse well under running water.  Slice crosswise into ¼ inch slices. 
2. Scrub potatoes well; cut into small cubes.
3. Melt butter or margarine in a 2-quart saucepan over medium heat.
4. Add garlic and chopped leeks. Cook until softened.
5. Add potatoes and enough broth to cover.  Cover pan and simmer until potatoes are soft.  Mash with a potato masher or fork until potatoes are fairly smooth. 
6. Add remaining broth, milk and pepper.  Simmer for about 5 minutes.
7. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Sweet Potato Pumpkin Soup

Sweet Potato Pumpkin Soup

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Makes: 8 cups
Serving Size 1 cup

Ingredients

1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1 cup chopped onion
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1⁄2 teaspoon curry powder
1⁄4 teaspoon ground cumin
1⁄4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 cloves garlic, minced or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
2 cups sweet potato, peeled and cubed
2 cups low-sodium, fat free chicken broth or vegetable broth (see Notes)
1 1⁄2 cups water
1 can (15-ounce) pumpkin
1 cup non-fat or 1% milk
3 Tablespoons reduced fat sour cream

Directions

1. Heat oil in large pot over medium-high heat.
2. Add onion and sauté for 3 minutes.
3. Add ginger, curry, cumin, nutmeg, and garlic and cook for 1 minute.
4. Stir in the sweet potato, broth, water, and pumpkin and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the sweet potato is soft, stirring constantly.
5. Stir in the milk until heated through (don’t boil).
6. Ladle into bowls and top with 1/2 tablespoon low-fat sour cream.
7. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Broth can be canned or made using bouillon. For each cup of broth use 1 cup very hot water and 1 teaspoon or 1 cube bouillon.

Beef Barley Soup

Beef Barley Soup

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 45 minutes
Makes: 14 cups
Serving Size 1 cup

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef (15% fat or less)
1 large carrot, diced, about 1 cup
1 small onion, diced, about 1 cup
2 stalk celery, diced, about 1 cup
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
8 cups water
2 teaspoons beef bouillon
1 can (14.5 ounce) diced tomatoes with juice
1 cup uncooked barley
1⁄2 teaspoon pepper

Directions

1. In large sauce pot, cook ground beef over medium heat. Drain fat.
2. Add carrots, onion, celery, and garlic; stir often and cook for about 5 minutes.
3. Add 8 cups of water, bouillon, tomatoes with juice, barley, and pepper. Bring to a boil.
4. Cover and reduce heat to a low boil. Cook for about 30 minutes.
5. Serve immediately.
6. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Add 1 cup sliced mushrooms with tomatoes.
• Add 1 cup chopped kale or other greens with tomatoes.

Minestrone Soup

Minestrone Soup

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 45 minutes
Makes: 10 cups
Serving Size 1 cup

Ingredients

1 medium onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, diced
1 large carrot, sliced
2 Tablespoons oil
1 large potato, peeled and chopped
1 can (15 ounces) chopped tomatoes
2 cans (15 ounce each or 3 1/2 cups) low sodium vegetable or beef broth (see Notes)
1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, drained
1 teaspoon dried basil
1⁄2 cup uncooked macaroni
2 small zucchini, sliced
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
1⁄4 teaspoon pepper

Directions

1. In a 5 quart saucepan over medium heat, cook onion, celery and carrot in oil, stirring constantly until onion is soft, but not browned.
2. Add potato, tomatoes, broth, beans and basil.
3. Bring to a boil then reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
4. Add macaroni and zucchini. Cook another 15 minutes.
5. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
6. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Broth can be canned or made using bouillon. For each cup of broth use 1 cup very hot water and 1 teaspoon or 1 cube bouillon.
• Use any vegetables you have on hand.
• Add cooked meat if desired.
• Cook your own dry beans. One can (15 ounces) is about 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 cups drained beans.

Italian Veggie Soup

Italian Veggie Soup

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 45 minutes
Makes: 12 cups
Serving Size 1 Cup

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground meat (15% fat) (turkey, chicken or beef)
1 cup diced onion
1⁄2 cup sliced celery
1 cup sliced or diced carrots
1 1⁄2 cups sliced or chopped cabbage
1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans drained and rinsed
2 cans (15 ounces each) tomato pieces with liquid
1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
1 can (15 ouncse) cut green beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup whole kernel corn (canned and drained, frozen, or fresh cooked)
2 cups water
3 teaspoons or 3 cubes low sodium beef, chicken or vegetable bouillon
1 teaspoon garlic powder or 4 cloves, crushed
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1⁄2 teaspoon dried oregano leaf
1⁄2 teaspoon dried sweet basil leaf
1⁄4 teaspoon pepper
1⁄2 cup small macaroni (optional)

Directions

1. In a skillet over medium-high heat (350 degrees in an electric skillet), cook the ground meat until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain any fat. Add to soup pan.
2. In the same skillet, saute the onion, celery, and carrots until limp but not brown. Add to soup pan.
3. Add all the remaining Ingredients to soup pan.
4. Bring to a boil. Lower heat, cover and simmer about 30 minutes.
5. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• One large ear of corn makes about 1 cup of cut corn.
• Cook your own dry beans. One can (15 ounces) is about 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 cups drained beans.

Chicken Enchilada Soup

Chicken Enchilada Soup

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Makes: 12 cups
Serving Size 1 cup

Ingredients

2 teaspoons oil
1 cup chopped onion (about 1 medium)
2 cloves garlic, minced, or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 can (16 ounces) navy beans
1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes
2 cans (14.5 ounces each) fat-free chicken broth (see Notes)
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
2 cans (4 ounces each) chopped green chilies
2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 cups chopped cooked chicken
1⁄2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 cup shredded cheese
10 thin corn tortillas

Directions

1. Heat oil in a large pot. Add onion, garlic, and cumin, and sauté until onion is softened but not browned.
2. Drain and rinse beans. Add drained beans, tomatoes with liquid, and chicken broth. Heat to a boil. Reduce heat.
3. Stir in tomato sauce, chilies, oregano, and chicken. Simmer 15 minutes.
4. When ready to serve, stir in cilantro and 1 cup cheese until melted. Serve tortilla strips on the side as soup toppings.
5. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Broth can be canned or made using bouillon. For each cup of broth use 1 cup very hot water and 1 teaspoon or 1 cube bouillon.
• To make tortilla strips, stack tortillas and cut in half. Cut each half-stack into thin strips. Spread strips on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees, tossing frequently, for 15 minutes or until crispy and starting to lightly brown.

Mexican Black Bean Soup

Mexican Black Bean Soup

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 45 minutes
Makes: 12 cups
Serving Size 1 cup

Ingredients

1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
1 small onion chopped (about 1 cup)
4 cloves garlic, minced or 1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes
4 cups black beans, about 2 cans (15 ounces) cooked or canned (with liquid)
2 potatoes, peeled and diced
4 cups water
1⁄2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1 Tablespoon cumin
1⁄3 cup lime juice or juice from 1 lime
hot sauce to taste

Directions

1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Sauté the onion for 2 minutes. Add the garlic and tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes. Stir often.
2. Add the beans, potatoes and water. Bring to a boil; then reduce to medium-low heat. Cover and cook for 20 minutes.
3. Add the cilantro, cumin, lime juice and hot pepper sauce, if desired. Stir and cook for 10 minutes. Serve hot.
4. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Try topping soup with non-fat sour cream, chopped cilantro and baked tortilla chips.
• Freeze extra lime juice to use later.

Refried Bean Soup

Refried Bean Soup

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Makes: 10 cups
Serving Size 1 cup

Ingredients

1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
1 cup onion, finely chopped (1 medium onion)
1 clove garlic, minced or 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 large can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
1 large can (30 ounces) fat-free refried beans
2 cans (14.5 ounces each) low-sodium vegetable broth (see Notes)

Directions

1. Heat oil in a large soup pot. Add onion and garlic and sauté until soft.
2. Add crushed tomatoes and bring to a boil. Boil for 5 minutes, and reduce heat to low.
3. Add beans and vegetable broth. Simmer for 15 minutes.
4. Serve immediately.
5. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Broth can be canned or made using bouillon. For each cup of broth use 1 cup very hot water and 1 teaspoon or 1 cube bouillon.

Burrito Soup

Burrito Soup

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 45 minutes
Makes: 10 cups
Serving Size 1 cup

Ingredients

1 onion, chopped
2 zucchini, chopped
1 Tablespoon oil
1 can (15.5 ounces) refried beans
1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes
1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
2 cans (15.5 ounces) corn
1 can (15.5 ounces) black beans, reduced sodium
2 Tablespoons taco seasoning

Directions

1. Sauté onion and zucchini in oil until soft.
2. Add refried beans and stir to break up beans.
3. Add tomatoes, corn, black beans and taco seasoning.
4. Simmer over medium heat for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• The more vegetables you add, the more nutrients! Try adding some of your favorites.
• Freeze leftovers for another meal.
• Cook your own dry beans. One can (15 ounces) is about 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 cups drained beans.

Cheesy Potato Soup

Cheesy Potato Soup

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 45 minutes
Makes: 6 cups
Serving Size 1 cup

Ingredients

1 medium onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
1⁄4 cup celery, chopped
1 teaspoon oil
2 cups potatoes, peels and diced bite size
2 cups chicken broth
1⁄4 teaspoon pepper
3 Tablespoons cornstarch
1 1⁄2 cups nonfat or 1% milk, divided
1 cup (4 ounces) reduced-fat cheddar cheese, shredded
1 Tablespoon bacon bits or 1 slice bacon, cooked and crumbled

Directions

1. In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, sauté onions and celery in oil until onions are clear.
2. Add the potatoes, broth, and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15 to 25 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.
3. In a small bowl, stir together cornstarch and ¼ cup of milk until smooth. Add remaining milk. Stir into the potato mixture.
4. Cook and stir until thickened and heated through, about 5 minutes. Do not boil.
5. Remove from heat. Stir in cheese until melted. Top with bacon bits. Serve warm.
6. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Easy Meatballs

Easy Meatballs

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour
Makes: 24 meatballs
Serving Size 3 meatballs

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef (15% fat)
1⁄2 cup uncooked brown or white rice
2⁄3 cup nonfat or 1% milk
1 egg, slightly beaten
1⁄2 cup chopped onion (1⁄2 medium onion)
1⁄2 cup shredded carrot
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
1⁄4 teaspoon pepper

SAUCE

1 can (10.5 ounces) condensed soup (try tomato, cream of mushroom or other flavors)
3⁄4 cup nonfat or 1% milk

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray or oil a shallow baking dish (9" x 13" x 2") with cooking spray.
2. Combine beef, rice, milk, egg, onion, carrot, salt and pepper. Use a spoon to form 24 meatballs and place in baking dish.
3. Combine soup and milk. Mix well. Pour sauce over meatballs.
4. Cover pan tightly with foil. Bake for 1 hour.
5. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Try using uncooked quick cooking or old fashioned rolled oats instead of rice

Great Gazpacho Soup

Great Gazpacho Soup

Prep time: 2 hours
Makes: 4 cups
Serving Size 1 cup

Ingredients

1 green bell pepper
1 cucumber
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes with juice
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon garlic powder or 4 cloves of garlic, minced
1⁄2 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

1. Wash the pepper and cucumber. Then peel the cucumber.
2. Chop the pepper and cucumber very finely.
3. In a medium bowl, add the rest of the Ingredients to the vegetables.
4. Refrigerate for at least two hours before serving. Serve cold. 
5. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Freeze extra lemon juice to use later

Kale and White Bean Soup

Kale and White Bean Soup

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Makes: 5 cups
Serving Size 1 cup

Ingredients

1 cup onion, chopped (1 medium onion)
4 cloves garlic, minced or 1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 Tablespoon butter or margarine
2 cups broth (chicken or vegetable)
1 1⁄2 cups cooked white beans (1 can - 15.5 ounces, drained and rinsed)
1 3⁄4 cups diced tomatoes (1 can - 14.5 ounces with juice)
1 Tablespoon italian seasoning
3 cups kale, chopped (fresh or frozen)

Directions

1. In a saucepan over medium-high heat, sauté onion and garlic in butter or margarine until soft.
2. Add broth, white beans, and tomatoes; stir to combine.
3. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 5 minutes.
4. Add the kale and Italian seasoning. Simmer until kale has softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Serve warm.
5. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• 1 bunch fresh kale (about 8 cups, chopped)

West African Peanut Soup

West African Peanut Soup

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Makes: 8 servings
Serving Size 1 cup

Ingredients

2⁄3 cup onion, diced
1 Tablespoon toasted sesame oil
1 clove garlic, minced or 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 cup cooked skinless chicken breast, diced
1 1⁄2 teaspoons curry powder
1⁄2 teaspoon pepper
1⁄2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
3 cups reduced sodium fat-free chicken broth (see Notes)
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
2 cans (14 1/2 ounces) stewed tomatoes, unsalted
6 Tablespoons reduced-fat peanut butter

Directions

1. In a large pot saute onion in sesame oil until translucent; add garlic and chicken and stir to heat through.
2. Add seasonings and saute 1 minute longer.
3. Add broth, tomato paste, tomatoes, and peanut butter. Stir until well combined.
4. Heat over medium heat until hot but not boiling. Serve immediately.
5. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Broth can be canned or made using bouillon. For each cup of broth use 1 cup very hot water and 1 teaspoon or 1 cube bouillon.
• For more peanut flavor, add chopped peanuts.
• To avoid peanuts or peanut butter, try sunflower seeds or sunflower seed butter.

Skillet Corn Chowder

Skillet Corn Chowder

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Makes: 4 servings
Serving Size 1 cup

Ingredients

1⁄2 small onion, diced
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
1 can (15 ounces) can cream style corn
2 cups nonfat or 1% milk
1⁄2 cup reduced fat cheddar cheese, grated

Directions

1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat (350 degrees in an electric skillet) saute onion in oil until transparent.
2. Add corn and milk. Stir until mixed together.
3. Heat until just bubbly.
4. Stir in cheese and serve as soon as melted.
5. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Add any other veggies you have on hand - fresh, frozen, or canned.
• Add pepper, dried cumin and/or oregano for extra flavor!