Favorite Soup Recipes for Winter
December 8, 2014
As the chill of winter sets in there’s nothing more satisfying than a steaming bowl of hearty soup to warm your spirits. And as we fire up the soup pot or slow cooker, it’s important to remember that seniors and individuals with medical conditions and special diet restrictions need to fill their bowls with healthy soup recipes. To help, we’ve highlighted our favorite soup recipes for winter that are not only delicious, but also incredibly nutritious and healthy.
Butternut Stew
This winter classic offers plenty of wholesome and hearty seasonal flavors without any added fat, salt or sugar, perfect for those seniors on a limited diet.
Ingredients:
1 large onion in small chunks
2 peeled or unpeeled sweet potatoes in bite-size squares
1 small butternut squash in bite-size squares
4 carrots peeled and sliced thick
2 parsnips peeled and sliced thick
1 tablespoons. Italian seasoning
Dash of pepper
1 cup of water
Directions:
1. Place all of the vegetables in the order listed into a large soup pot
2. Add water and seasonings
3. Bring to a boil
4.Lower heat, cover and simmer for one hour.
Italian Turkey and White Bean Stew
This Mediterranean classic is packed with plenty of protein, fiber and vitamins, perfect for a cold winter’s day. You can add different vegetables and use chicken instead of turkey for a bit of variety. For no salt diets, water can be used in place of the low-salt chicken broth, and the olive oil may be eliminated as well if necessary.
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons Olive Oil
1 small chopped onion
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 can Italian chopped tomatoes, not drained (14 oz.)
2 small green zucchini in chunks
1 cup low-salt chicken broth or one cup hot water
½ teaspoons rosemary, crushed
½ pound of deli (thick cut) roasted turkey breast – diced in cubes
1 can Great Northern Navy beans, rinsed and drained (14-15 oz)
Directions:
1. Heat oil in large soup pot over medium heat and add onion cooking and stirring 5 minutes
2. Add garlic and cook 1 minute
3. Add squash and cook 2 minutes more
4. Add broth, tomatoes, and rosemary and bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes.
5. Stir in chicken and beans, simmer 8 more minutes
Corn Chowder
A warming wonder, this filling and healthy soup doesn’t even need oil as the vegetables can be sautéed in water. The natural sugars in the corn also eliminate the need for added sugar. For additional protein, cooked and diced chicken can be added to this low-fat soup to add to the heartiness.
¼ cup water
½ celery stalk, minced
½ small onion, minced
¼ green pepper, minced
1 ½ cup water
1 10-ounce package of frozen whole kernel corn or fresh
2 small potatoes, peeled and diced
Pepper
Salt (optional)
¼ teaspoon paprika
2 Cups skim milk
2 tablespoons flour
Directions:
1. Sauté the minced onion, celery, and pepper in ¼ cup of water in a large soup pot till vegetables are soft (2-4 minutes).
2. Add water, corn, potatoes, salt, pepper, and paprika – bring to a boil, then simmer covered for 15 minutes.
3. Put ½ cup milk in a jar with tight fitting lid and add flour and shake to mix – or put in small cup and whisk till blended. Gradually add milk/flour mixture to soup – then gradually add the rest of the milk. Turn up heat and stir constantly till soup is boiling and thickening. Garnish with parsley.
When the temperature starts to drop outside, warm things up inside with these tasty and healthy soup recipes for winter. For seniors and individuals with medical conditions, including diabetes and high blood pressure, these recipes can be adjusted to meet dietary requirements. Be sure to speak with your doctor before making any changes to your diet.
What are some of your favorite soup recipes for winter? Let us know in the comment section below!
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