Hey Foodies!
I have been waiting, waiting, and waiting for the weather to finally be cool enough to start making soup again! The forecast for the remainder of the week is to be rainy and cold. Translation in my book: cuddling, TV, and some soup STAT! Soup is a total favorite of mine because I tend to lose those pesky pounds quickly when I incorporate them into my meals. They fill me up so I end up eating less of the entree, which in turn, can shave off some extra carbs and calories! Although this is a creamy soup and clear broth-based soups are the usual answer for girls who are slaves to their dress sizes - overall, this is still a good option if you make sure to watch your portions (ummm... think a cup not like 3!)
After all, the French could eat whatever they wanted, but alas, remained so slim! One of my besties from med school is from France... she eats everything, but still remains a size ZERO! Her secret wasn't so much a secret, it was just enjoying enough of everything but in moderation. Yes, I found myself quite jealous as she would bring a cream-filled chocolate covered glazed donut to class as I sat there eating my 90-cal granola bar! Of which once she took a bite because she didn't bring anything one morning, but quickly asked for a napkin and would rather starve than try to ingest "diet" food. She turned to me and said, "Darling, if you want to be slim, you need to eat real food." I guess she has a good point!!! Although I still believe in low-calorie alternatives, it should not come to a point where you feel deprived:) Sometimes too many restrictions makes me go overboard... I'm good all day then nightfall comes, and I'm like... I want this, that, and more of this... and a bit more of that... ahhh... the vicious cycle... sigh!
So by combining the rich flavors of the Italian sausage and creamed spinach with all the goodness of fiber from the black-eye psz and vitamin A from carrots, it's truly the best of both worlds! The rice makes this soup even heartier. Finally, the mushrooms round out this busy little soup. Finding yourself so full that you will be less likely to snack on what could have been very tempting treats from the vending machine;)
Ingredients:
- 32 oz chicken stock
- 1 cups water
- 1 cup of baby carrots (halved)
- 1 cup of sliced mushrooms (halved)
- 15.5 oz. blackey peas, rinsed & drained (1 can)
- 1/2 cup uncooked brown or wild rice
- 4 Italian hot sausages removed from casing and rolled into 1/2 inch meatballs
- 9 oz frozen creamed spinach
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions:
- To a pot, add the chicken stock, water, baby carrots, mushrooms, blackeye peas, rice, and hot sausages. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat and simmer for about 25 minutes or until rice and beans are tender.
- Add the creamed spinach and cook for an additional 5 minutes
What a great lunch alternative to those not-so-good-for-you meal combos at your nearest fast-food joint. Packing soups for lunch not only can fill you up and slim you down, but keep your pocketbook a bit fatter too! Learning to use leftovers and putting them into your next soup experimentation can definitely help you save for a rainy day ... or, rather, Burberry rain boots for those rainy days;)
XoX,
Marikym
