Bean and Pasta Soup

 

Bean and Pasta Soup

Bean and Pasta Soup

Recipe provided courtesy of Taste of Home magazine.  Find more great recipes at www.tasteofhome.com

 

We’re always on the lookout for great, low-fat recipes and this soup fits the bill.  Loaded with veggies and pasta, it’s fast, filling and delicious.  I make it every week.

          Maria Gooding                                                                                Union, Ontario

 

Bean and Pasta Soup Recipe

Bean and Pasta Soup

1 cup uncooked small pasta

2 celery ribs, thinly sliced

2 medium carrots, thinly sliced

1 medium onion, chopped

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1 garlic clove, minced

2 cups water

1 can (14 ½ oz.) diced tomatoes, undrained

1 ¼ cups reduced-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth

1 tsp. dried basil

½ tsp. dried rosemary, crushed

¼ tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. pepper

1 can (15 oz.) white kidney or cannellini beans, rinsed and drained

2 cups shredded fresh spinach

¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese, optional

Cook pasta according to package directions.  Meanwhile, in a large nonstick saucepan, sauté the celery, carrots and onion in oil for 5 minutes.  Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer.  Stir in the water, tomatoes, broth, basil, rosemary, salt and pepper.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10 minutes or until carrots are tender.

Drain pasta; stir into vegetable mixture.  Add beans; heat through.  Stir in spinach; cook until spinach is wilted, about 2 minutes.  Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese if desired.            5 servings

 

(Recipe for Bean and Pasta Soup was on www.tasteofhome.com, 2014)

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Butternut Soup with Parmesan Croutons

Butternut Soup with Parmesan Croutons

Butternut Soup with Parmesan Croutons

 

Recipe provided courtesy of Taste of Home magazine.  Find more great recipes at www.tasteofhome.com

 

Roasting creates a rich, caramelized flavor, but you can cook the squash cubes directly in the broth if you’re short on time.  They should pierce easily with a fork when they’re done.

          Jen Lehner                                                                           Seattle, Washington

 

Butternut Soup with Parmesan Croutons Recipe

Butternut Soup with Parmesan Croutons

1 medium butternut squash (about 3 lbs.), peeled, seeded and cut into 1 inch cubes

2 Tbsp. California Olive Ranch Olive Oil, divided

¼ tsp. pepper

1 large onion, chopped

3 celery ribs, chopped

2 Tbsp. minced fresh sage or 2 tsp. rubbed sage

3 cans (14 ½ oz. each) reduced-sodium chicken broth

Croutons:   2 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese

2 Tbsp. California Olive Ranch Olive Oil

1 Tbsp. minced fresh sage or 1 tsp. rubbed sage

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 cups cubed French bread (1/2 inch cubes)

Cooking spray

Additional grated Parmesan cheese, optional

Place squash in a 15×10 inch baking pan lightly coated with cooking spray.  Drizzle with 1 tablespoon oil; sprinkle with pepper.  Toss to coat.  Bake, uncovered, at 425 F. for 30-35 minutes or until tender, stirring every 15 minutes.  Set aside.

In a Dutch oven, sauté the onion, celery and sage in remaining oil until tender.  Stir in broth and squash.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes to allow flavors to blend.  Cool slightly.

In a blender, puree soup in batches until smooth.  Return to the pan; heat through.

For croutons, in a small bowl, combine the cheese, oil, sage and garlic.  Add bread cubes and spritz with cooking spray; toss to coat.  Place on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray.

Bake at 425 F. for 5-8 minutes or until golden brown, stirring occasionally.  Sprinkle each serving of soup of soup with croutons and additional cheese if desired.           8 servings (2 quarts)

 

(Recipe for Butternut Soup with Parmesan Croutons was on www.tasteofhome.com, 2013)

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Slow-Cooked Two-Bean Chili

Slow-Cooked Two-Bean Chili

Slow-Cooked Two-Bean Chili

 

Recipe provided courtesy of Taste of Home magazine.  Find more great recipes at www.tasteofhome.com

 

The first time I had this chili at a Super Bowl party, I was on my second bowl before I realized it had NO MEAT!  It’s so chock-full of ingredients and flavor that it’s hard to believe this is a low-fat recipe.  Enjoy!

         Ronald Johnson                                                                               Elmhurst, Illinois

 

Slow-Cooked Two-Bean Chili Recipe

Slow-Cooked Two-Bean Chili

½ Lb. sliced fresh mushrooms

1 large green pepper, chopped

1 large sweet red pepper, chopped

2 ribs celery, chopped

1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped

1 Tbsp. olive oil

4 garlic cloves, minced

2 tsp. ground cumin

1 tsp. dried oregano

1 can (28 oz.) diced tomatoes, undrained

1 can (16 oz.) red beans, rinsed and drained

1 can (15 oz.) black beans, raised and drained

1 large carrot, chopped

½ cup water

½ cup barbecue sauce

¼ cup chili powder

1 tsp. Liquid Smoke, optional

Optional Toppings:   Light sour cream, hot pepper sauce, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped onion and/or crushed baked tortilla chip scoops

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook and stir the mushrooms, peppers, celery, onion and jalapeno in oil until onion is lightly browned.  Add the garlic, cumin and oregano; cook and stir 1 minute longer.

Transfer to a 5 quart slow cooker.  Stir in the tomatoes, beans, carrots, water, barbecue sauce, chili powder and Liquid Smoke if desired.

Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or until vegetables are tender.  Serve with sour cream, pepper sauce, cheese, onion and/or chips if desired.            6 servings (2 quarts)

 

(Recipe for Slow-Cooked Two-Bean Chili was on www.tasteofhome.com, 2014)

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Crown Pork Roast with Apple-Cranberry Stuffing

Crown Pork Roast with Apple-Cranberry Stuffing

Crown Pork Roast with Apple-Cranberry Stuffing

 

 

Recipe provided courtesy of Taste of Home magazine.  Find more great recipes at www.tasteofhome.com

 

For something different this holiday season, give your guest the royal treatment by serving this impressive pork roast.  The fruity stuffing doubles as a side dish.

Donna Goutermont                                                                        Juneau, Alaska

 

Crown Pork Roast with Apple-Cranberry Stuffing Recipe

Crown Pork Roast with Apple-Cranberry Stuffing

2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. pepper

1 tsp. dried sage leaves

1 pork crown roast (14 ribs and about 9 Lbs.)

Stuffing:   ½ cup butter, cubed

1 large onion, chopped

1 celery rib, chopped

2 medium apples, peeled and chopped

½ cup dried cranberries

1 ½ tsp. minced fresh thyme or ½ tsp. dried thyme

½ tsp. salt

½ tsp. pepper

8 cups soft whole grain bread crumbs

½ cup chicken broth

Combine the salt, pepper and sage.  Place roast, rib ends up, in a large shallow roasting pan; sprinkle with salt mixture.  Cover ribs ends with foil.  Bake, uncovered, at 350 F. for 1 ½ hours.

For stuffing, melt butter in a large skillet.  Add onion and celery; sauté until tender.  Transfer to a large bowl; stir in the apples, cranberries, thyme, salt and pepper.  Add bread crumbs and toss to coat.  Stir in broth.

Carefully spoon stuffing into center of roast.  Bake 45-60 minutes longer or until a meat thermometer reads 145 F.  Transfer to a warm serving platter.  Remove foil.  Let roast stand for 15 minutes.  Cut between ribs to serve.              14 servings

 

(Recipe for Crown Pork Roast with Apple-Cranberry Stuffing was on www.tasteofhome.com, 2013)

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Chicken Asparagus Soup

Chicken Asparagus Soup

Chicken Asparagus Soup

 

Asparagus stars in this flavorful soup, a favorite recipe from my Italian grandmother.  I have fond memories of chopping veggies and cooking with her as a child.

         Sandy Clayton                                              Visalia, California                                                                          

 

Chicken Asparagus Soup Recipe

Chicken Asparagus Soup

2 lb. thin fresh asparagus

2 large potatoes, peeled, and diced

1 large onion

2 celery ribs, chopped

1 medium carrot, chopped

2 tsp. dried parsley flakes

1 garlic clove, minced

2 Tbsp. canola oil

2 cans (14 ½ oz. each) chicken broth

1 tsp. salt

½ tsp. pepper, divided

1 bay leaf

2 cups cubed cooked chicken

2 cups half-and-half cream

Shaved Parmesan cheese, optional

 

Cut tips from asparagus spears; set aside.  Place stalks in a large skillet; cover with water.  Bring to a boil.  Reduced heat; cover and simmer for 40 minutes.  Strain, reserving 4 cups cooking liquid.  Discard stalks.

In s Dutch oven, sauté the potatoes, onion, celery, carrot, parsley and garlic in oil until vegetables are tender.  Stir in the broth, salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, bay leaf and reserved cooking liquid.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes.  Discard bay leaf.  Cool slightly.

In a blender, cover and puree soup in batches until smooth.  Return to the pan.  Add the chicken, cream, remaining pepper and reserved asparagus tips.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes or until asparagus is tender.  Garnish with Parmesan cheese if desired.             10 servings

 

(Recipe for Chicken Asparagus Soup came from tasteofhome.com)

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Vegetable Soup with Dumplings o

Vegetable Soup with Dumplings

Vegetable Soup with Dumplings

 

Not only is this hearty soup my family’s favorite meatless recipe, but it’s a complete meal-in-one.  It’s loaded with vegetables, and the fluffy carrot dumplings are a great change of pace at dinnertime.

 

Vegetable Soup with Dumplings Recipe

Vegetable Soup with Dumplings

1 ½ cups chopped onions

4 medium carrots, sliced

3 celery ribs, sliced

2 Tbsp. canola oil

3 cups vegetable broth

4 medium potatoes, peeled and sliced

4 medium tomatoes, chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

½ tsp. salt

½ tsp. pepper

¼ cup flour

½ cup water

1 cup chopped cabbage

1 cup frozen peas

CARROT DUMPLINGS:   2 ¼ cups Reduced Fat Bisquick Mix

1 cup shredded carrots

1 Tbsp. minced fresh parsley

1 cup cold water

10 Tbsp. shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese

 

In a Dutch oven, cook the onions, carrots and celery in oil for 6-8 minutes or until crisp-tender.  Stir in the broth, potatoes, tomatoes, garlic, salt and pepper.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15-25 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

In a small bowl, combine flour and water until smooth; stir into vegetable mixture.  Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.  Stir in cabbage and peas.

For dumplings, in a small bowl, combine baking mix, carrots and parsley.  Stir in water until moistened.  Drop in 10 mounds onto simmering soup.  Cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in a dumpling comes out clean (do NOT lift cover while simmering).  Garnish with cheese.            10 servings

 

(Recipe for Vegetable Soup with Dumplings came from tasteofhome.com)

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Shrimp Macaroni Salad

Shrimp Macaroni Salad

Shrimp Macaroni Salad

Recipe provided courtesy of Taste of Home magazine.  Find more great recipes at

www.tasteofhome.com

 

Whenever I attend a potluck or family gathering, I’m asked to make this salad, which has been a family secret for over 50 years.  My husband likes it as a main dish, served with garlic bread.

                      Barbara Robbins                                              Cave Junction, Oregon

 

Shrimp Macaroni Salad Recipe 

Shrimp Macaroni Salad

1 package (16 oz.) elbow macaroni

1 to 1 ½ pounds cooked small shrimp

1 package (16 oz.) frozen peas, thawed

7 to 8 celery ribs, finely chopped

1 small onion, finely chopped

Dressing:   1 ¾ cups mayonnaise

¾ cup French salad dressing

2 Tbsp. sugar

2 Tbsp. white wine vinegar

1 ½ to 2 ½ tsp. paprika

1 to 2 tsp. salt

1 to 2 tsp. garlic powder

1 to 2 tsp. pepper

Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water.  In a large bowl, combine the macaroni, shrimp, peas, celery and onion.

In another bowl, whisk the dressing ingredients.  Pour over salad and toss to coat.  Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours before serving.                   16 servings

(Recipe for Shrimp Macaroni Salad was in tasteofhome.com)

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