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Healthy Lentil Soup

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Healthy Lentil Soup

This healthy lentil soup is easy to make. It’s also light and tasty enough for warm weather, while still hardy enough to be comforting in the winter months!

You will enjoy this easy to make lentil soup throughout the year. It is so easy to sauté some fresh vegetables, then simmer with lentils, broth (I prefer homemade) and a can of tomatoes. This makes up a very healthy and inexpensive meal or appetizer before a special meal.

 

Healthy Lentil Soup
 
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This lentil soup is easy to make. It’s also light and tasty enough for warm weather, while still hardy enough to be comforting in the winter months!
Author:
Recipe type: Soup
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6
Ingredients
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 stalk celery, diced
  • 1 carrot, diced
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 6 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian alternative)
  • 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1½ cups lentils, rinsed
  • 2 bay leaves
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped)
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano (or 1 teaspoon fresh oregano, chopped)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Pepper, freshly ground, to taste
  • 2 cups spinach leaves, loosely packed
Instructions
  1. Heat olive oil in the bottom of a stock pot.
  2. Add celery, carrot, onion and garlic to pot. Saute until vegetables are softened, but not browned (about 10 minutes).
  3. Add broth, tomatoes and lentils and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and simmer until lentils are soft (about 15 minutes).
  4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Stir in spinach, until wilted (about 2-3 minutes).

 

Homemade Tomato Basil Soup

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This traditional homemade tomato basil soup recipe can be served home style by pairing with a grilled cheese sandwich or with a sophisticated twist by changing up your garnishes.

There is nothing more comforting than homemade tomato basil soup served with a grilled cheese sandwich. If you are interested in creating this homemade tomato basil soup with a more sophisticated twist, simply garnish with basil leaves, your choice of chopped herbs, grated Parmesan cheese; or top with a swirl of sour cream or creme fraiche.

With this recipe, you’ll not only enjoy the rich and satisfying flavor but also the comfort of knowing it was made with the highest quality of ingredients.

5.0 from 3 reviews
Homemade Tomato Basil Soup
 
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This traditional homemade tomato basil soup recipe can be served home style by pairing with a grilled cheese sandwich or with a sophisticated twist by changing up your garnishes.
Author:
Recipe type: Soup
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6
Ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian alternative)
  • 3 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian alternative)
  • 1 can (28 ounce) of whole tomatoes (I prefer organic, plum tomatoes)
  • 1 can (28 ounce) of whole tomatoes (I prefer organic, plum tomatoes)
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • Salt
  • Salt
  • Pepper, freshly ground
  • Pepper, freshly ground
  • 20 basil leaves, chopped
Instructions
  1. In a stock pot melt butter with olive oil over low heat.
  2. Add the onion and garlic and cook until soft and translucent, but not browned. This will take about 10 minutes.
  3. Sprinkle flour over onion and garlic and stir to coat vegetables.
  4. Add broth, tomatoes (crushing slightly with your hand or a spoon), sugar, ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper.
  5. Bring mixture to a simmer over medium high heat while stirring occasionally.
  6. Reduce heat to low, stir in chopped basil and simmer for 40 minutes.
  7. Take off heat and blend with stick blender. You can also blend in batches in a traditional blender or food processor.
  8. Taste soup and adjust salt and pepper, if needed.
  9. Ladle into bowl and garnish with your preference of basil leaves, your choice of chopped herbs, grated Parmesan cheese; or a swirl of sour cream or creme fraiche.

Recommended for this recipe:

This traditional homemade tomato basil soup recipe can be served home style by pairing with a grilled cheese sandwich or with a sophisticated twist by changing up your garnishes.

Easy Cream of Broccoli Soup

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Cream of Broccoli Soup

This cream of broccoli soup recipe is not only easy to make, but also combines healthy and comfort foods. You can feel good about adding more vegetables to your family’s diet, while enjoying the rich, creaminess of this soup. By using canned milk, you can get the richness of cream without the added calories. Also by garnishing with extra sharp cheddar cheese, you can enjoy the rich flavor without using a large quantity.

We all know that vegetables are good for us, but broccoli stands out as for it’s health benefits. Helen from Well-Being Secrets had written an in-depth post that outlines these benefits. Check out her article 43 Science-Backed Health Benefits of Broccoli.

 

Easy Cream of Broccoli Soup
 
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This cream of broccoli soup recipe is not only easy to make, but also combines healthy and comfort foods. You can feel good about adding more vegetables to your family’s diet, while enjoying the rich, creaminess of this soup. By using canned milk, you can get the richness of cream without the added calories. Also by garnishing with extra sharp cheddar cheese, you can enjoy the rich flavor without using a large quantity.
Author:
Recipe type: Soups
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 pounds broccoli
  • 5 cups, chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk (I prefer organic)
  • ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
  • Extra sharp cheddar cheese, for garnish
Instructions
  1. Add garlic and onion to stock pot with broth. Simmer until the onion is soft, about 10 minutes.
  2. While garlic and onion are cooking, chop broccoli (florets and stems) into about 1 inch pieces.
  3. Add broccoli to the pot and continue to simmer uncovered until broccoli is soft, but still bright green. This will take about 10 minutes.
  4. Remove the pot from the stove and puree in the pot with an immersion blender. You can also puree in a blender, in batches.
  5. Stir in the canned milk, salt and pepper.
  6. Garnish with extra sharp cheddar cheese.

 

Healthy Vegetable Soup

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Healthy Vegetable Soup

 

I’ve always loved soup and this healthy vegetable soup recipe makes it guilt free. Not only are you adding a variety of brightly colored vegetables to your diet, it’s also a low-calorie alternative, thanks to the broth base. You’ll feel good about both eating this healthy vegetable soup and serving it to your family.

This recipe makes a large batch of soup, which reheats well. I love making this soup when I have a busy week ahead. It’s nice to know I have a healthy meal to heat up quickly for a week of lunches.

 

Healthy Vegetable Soup
 
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Healthy Vegetable Soup recipe you'll be proud to serve to your family.
Author:
Recipe type: Soups
Cuisine: American
Serves: 12
Ingredients
  • Olive oil cooking spray
  • 1 cup uncooked carrots, sliced
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 6 cups fat free chicken broth (or broth of your choice)
  • 1 head napa cabbage, chopped
  • 6 ounces fresh spinach, chopped
  • 1 can whole tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 2 zucchini, diced
Instructions
  1. Spray a large saucepan with olive oil cooking spray, and warm over medium heat.
  2. Saute onion, garlic and carrots until they are soft, about 5 minutes.
  3. Add broth, cabbage, spinach, tomatoes, basil, oregano and salt to the onion mixture and bring to a boil.
  4. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered for about 15 minutes.
  5. Add zucchini and cook an additional 5 minutes.
  6. Serve warm.