Wonderful Winter Soups

Soup can be served as a meal, a snack or a delicious side dish. You can spend hours preparing or minutes warming up a store bought brand. Always check the label of store bought brands for ingredients and sodium content too.  But soup will never disappoint and always make you happy.

Soup is a comfort food. In the heart of winter, soup is considered a hearty and healthy dish. Chock full of protein, veggies and spices, it warms us and puts a smile on our face.

Organic leeks

Soup is affordable to make. I made a large pot of Leek, Spinach, and White Bean Soup and it lasted for several meals. Start by heating 2 teaspoons of olive oil in a soup pot over medium heat. Thinly slice 3 leeks and add to pot along with 3 cloves of minced garlic. Saute until tender about 5 minutes. Stir in 32 ounces of your favorite broth, 32 ounces cannellini beans (rinsed and drained) , 4 bay leaves, and 2 teaspoons of ground cumin. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low. Add 1/2 cup of a whole grain (I use Orzo, but you can use brown rice, couscous or whatever). Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in 1 1/2 cups spinach and season it to your liking. Serve and enjoy.

Trader Joe’s Organic Butternut Squash Soup with added spinach

Or you can buy Trader Joe’s Organic Butternut Squash Soup and toss in some spinach and/or beans. Heat and serve with a dollop of greek yogurt (for protein). This soup will always make you feel full and only takes minutes to prepare.

Fresh sliced lemons

Squirt some lemon onto almost any soup (or dish) for a burst of flavor and some vitamin C. I burn through a large bag of lemon every week. Even after adding some lemon to the whole pot, I will always serve the soup with a sliced lemon on the side.

Bob’s Red Mill Soup Mix is a must have for any pantry no matter what the season. In 30-60 minutes you can make a healthy, nourishing and hearty bowl of soup and throw in any ingredients you have hanging in your refrigerator. Beans, tomato, carrots or other veggies are a welcome addition.

Bob’s Red Mill Vegi Soup Mix

Enjoy some soup this cold and wintry week-end. It’s delicious, great for your health, makes you feel full, it’s affordable, and makes you feel better. Add a chunk of a whole grain bread and top with greek yogurt or grated parmesan cheese and your life couldn’t be better- at least while you’re eating the soup!