French Onion Soup

Tis the season where it starts to get chilly and soup for dinner is all your want. Some quick, easy, and all you have to do is warm it up. I have decided to give this one a try...

Ingredients :

- 4 cups of beef broth
- 2 onions (cut up thin)
- 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- parmesan cheese is optional


Directions :

- Clean and slice onions.
- In a soup pot saute onions in olive oil until they are soft.
- Add beef broth and vinegar to the pot and boil until liquid has cooked down until approximately half.
- Serve sprinkled with approximately 2 tbsp. parmesan cheese over the top.

Clean Eating Stuffed Pepper Soup

Mother Nature you have done it again, when the groundhog said six more weeks BOY did he ever mean the full six weeks. The sun was slowly starting to creep out and that just wasn't good enough because it snowed & got cold once again. Which is why people are getting sick. One minute it goes from being freezing temps to 70 degrees with windows down & your shades on. But with the cold weather still slowly trying to stay around, I know I find it (as weird as this sounds) hard to find something to eat. Not saying we never have food in our house, but when it is cold at I am trying to stay warm, so I want something warm but healthy all at the same time.


I always wanted to try Stuffed Pepper Soup, so when I found this recipe I decided this is what we are having for dinner.

Ingredients:

 

*3 cups cooked brown rice (if you are paleo; totally do not need to add it in)

*1 lb of lean ground turkey

*1/2 cup of chopped green peppers

*1/2 cup of chopped red peppers

*1 cup of diced onions

*3 cloves of garlic ; chopped

*2 cans of diced tomatoes

*1 3/4 cups of tomato sauce

*2 cups reduced sodium chicken broth

*salt & pepper (optional) for taste

 

 

Directions:

*In a large skillet brown the ground turkey on high and season with salt if you are using on high heat. Drain any fat (if there is any) then reduce to medium heat. Add peppers, onions, and garlic. Cook for about 5 minutes on low heat.

*Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, and chicken broth, and season with salt & pepper if you like. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes on low heat. Serve about 1 1/3 cup of soup in each bowl and 1/2 cup cooked brown rice on top.

For all my fixers I would say this would be a red (lean turkey), a yellow (brown rice; if you are using), and you could add a green (for the veggies).



Italian Wedding Soup

Who doesn't love soup on cold chilly days?? How do you feel about wedding soup- a fan favorite!? A lighter version of wedding soup. On a snowy December day, heat yourself up a bowl & you are good to go.

Prep time: 35 mins.  Cook: 20 mins. 

Ingredients: 

- 1 egg lightly beaten 

- 1 tablespoon dry bread crumbs

- 1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes 

- 1 tablespoon plus1/4 cup grated parm cheese, divided

- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

- 1/2 teaspoon salt (if desired)

- 1/8 teaspoon plus 1/4 teaspoon pepper

- 1/2 lb lean ground beef (I use ground turkey)

- 1/4 cup uncooked orzo pasta (or pasta of your choice)

- 1 medium onion, finely chopped

- 3 celery ribs, chopped

- 2 garlic cloves

- 1 tablespoon olive oil

- 4 cans reduced sodium chicken broth

- 1 can kidney beans, rinsed and drained

- 4 cups chopped fresh spinach 

Directions:

- in a large bowl, combine the egg, bread crumbs, parsley, 1 tablespoon of parm cheese, onion powder, 1/4 salt, & 1/8 pepper (teaspoon).

- crumble beef over mixture and mix well. Shape into 42 meatballs.

- place in a 15-inch x 10 inch x 1 inch baking pan coated with nonstick cooking spray. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until juices run clear; drain. 

- cook pasta according to package directions; drain. 

- in large saucepan or soup kettle, sauté the onions, celery, and garlic in oil until tender.

- stir in broth, beans(if using), and spinach. 

- stir in pasta, meatballs, and remaining salt/pepper (if using).

- cook until spinach is tender and meatballs are heated through. 

- garnish w/ remaining parm cheese.

               

Clean Eating Chicken Noodle Soup

What's the best type of food to eat when it's a cold, gloomy day here in Western PA? Certainly anything that is going to warm you up right away.  I was craving soup this afternoon, so what better way then making homemade chicken noodle soup. Chicken Noodle Soup can be loaded with flavors and a ton of salt , which yes of course gives you the flavor but is really not good for you.

Everyone of course is going to have their own version of soup, but I found this recipe today and gave it a try!

INGREDIENTS:

- 1 tablespoon olive oil

- 1 large onion : chopped

- 2 large leeks : chopped

- 6 small carrots : peeled & sliced

- 2 parsnips : peeled & sliced

- 4 cups chicken broth (no sugar added)

- 4 cups distiller water

- 4 large chicken breasts : cut into bite size pieces 

- 1 teaspoon garlic powder

- 1 tablespoon marjoram 

- brown rice or noodles : cooked separately according to package directions

DIRECTIONS: (makes approx. 16 cups)

- using a non stick pan, sauté the onions, leeks, carrots, and parsnips in the olive oil until the leeks and onions wilt (5-7 minutes).

- transfer your vegetables to a large soup pot and add your broth, water, and herbs. Cook for half an hour.

- add chicken breast and cook for another half an hour.

You of course can choose to add different herbs and vegetables. I added celery instead of the leeks and parsnips. Also, I only used garlic powder and added a little bit of black pepper. Fit it to your likes, what you like and don't like. 

And enjoy on a cold day!