Soup’s On! 5 Soups To Try This Winter

When winter’s chill sets in, nothing warms the body (and soul) quite like a steaming bowl of hot soup.  January is National Soup Month and the perfect time to treat your family to one-pot meals that will satisfy and nourish.  I love soup almost any time of year except maybe during the middle of summer, and even then you can enjoy a refreshing cup of gazpacho.  However, for this blog entry, I’m sharing five selections that are particularly delicious and hearty for the coldest months of the year.

If you enjoy Italian flavors, you will love this Healthy Italian Winter Soup with Turkey Sausage.  Onion, garlic, olive oil, diced tomatoes and chicken broth start the base of this soup.  Herbs like parsley, thyme, oregano and rosemary add to the flavor.  Spinach or kale leaves and cannellini beans add fiber and nutrition to the meal.  Bow tie pasta and turkey sausage top it off.  You can add a slice of bread or side salad if you choose.

Italian winter soup
Photo courtesy of Wishful Chef

Potatoes are nutritious and filling.  You’ll find, however, that many versions of potato soup are heavy, containing a lot of cream and cheese.  This recipe, from Fruits & Veggies–More Matters, for Mediterranean Potato Soup loses all the fat and calories, but none of the flavor.  Potatoes, carrots, onion, kidney beans and spinach are combined with vegetable broth and spices to create a vegetarian meal that will satisfy your family.

potato soup

Another filling option is Black Bean Soup.  Here is a great recipe that uses dried beans, so you’ll soak them overnight.  Bell peppers, garlic and lots of spices make this a soup with some “kick.”

black bean soup
Photo courtesy of The Pioneer Woman

Vegetable soups come in many forms, but my personal favorite is Minestrone.  This recipe is particularly nice because you prepare the soup using your slow cooker, making it perfect for a busy weekday.  Green beans, celery, carrots, onion, two kinds of beans, spinach …this soup is so good for you!  Plus, it’s unbelievably delicious.  Top it with a little shredded parmesan for extra flavor.

minestrone
Photo courtesy of The Little Spice Jar

Finally, I couldn’t leave out a list of soups without a chicken soup.  However, I decided to mix it up a bit and go with something a bit different than the typical chicken noodle.  This winter, try this recipe for Chicken Tortilla Soup.  Another option that is made using your slow cooker, is a healthy choice, which includes chicken breasts, crushed tomatoes, black beans, onions, chile peppers, chicken broth, corn and spices.

chicken tortilla soup
Photo courtesy of Yummy Healthy Easy

There are plenty of soup choices you can try this winter (split pea, navy bean, chicken and rice, mushroom) …the list is endless.  So, when the snow starts falling, warm up with a hot bowl of soup!  I’ll be back next week with some fruit and veggie options that are will help add calcium to your diet.

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