Soup's On!

When it's chilly (or downright cold) out, is there anything more comforting to eat than homemade soup? Maybe, maybe not. Either way, it is comforting to have a bowl of homemade soup.

To that end, here are six yummy soup recipes to help you through the day, including Chicken Soup with Lime and Cilantro and Enchilada Soup. Enjoy!

PUMPKIN SOUP

Recipe Yield: Makes 8 servings.

Source: AICR

Recipe and image appear courtesy of American Institute for Cancer Research.

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/pumpkin-soup-2.

Ingredients

4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth, divided

4 cups pumpkin puree (canned or fresh) (butternut squash may be substituted)

1 cup finely chopped onion

1 clove garlic

1 tsp. fresh thyme, chopped

Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

2 Tbsp. light whipping cream (optional)

1 tsp. fresh parsley, chopped

Nutmeg (optional)

Directions

In large pot over medium-high heat add 3 cups broth, pumpkin, onion, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper. Bring to boil. Reduce to low and simmer uncovered, about 30 minutes.

Puree mixture until smooth, in small batches, using blender or food processor. Return to pot. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for another 30 minutes. Add remaining broth as desired. (Optional, stir in cream.)

Pour into bowls. Garnish with parsley (or sprinkle of nutmeg) and serve.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 71; Fat: 1 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Sodium: 284 mg; Protein: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 16 g

TOASTY OATMEAL VEGETABLE SOUP

Recipe Yield: Makes 6 servings

Source: AICR

Recipe and image appear courtesy of American Institute for Cancer Research.

You can view this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/toasty-oatmeal-vegetable-soup.

Ingredients

1 cup rolled oats (not quick-cooking or instant)

1 Tbsp. canola oil

1 large onion, chopped

1-3 cloves of garlic (to taste),finely minced

1 large tomato, seeded and chopped

1 carrot, diagonally cut into 1/4-inch slices

6 cups fat-free, reduced-sodium chicken or vegetable broth

1/2 cup finely chopped fresh parsley

Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Directions

In a large, heavy skillet over medium heat, toast raw oatmeal, stirring constantly, until oatmeal is lightly browned, about 3 to 5 minutes. (Oatmeal burns easily, so watch carefully.) Immediately transfer oatmeal to a small bowl and set aside.

In large pot, heat oil until hot. Add onion, reduce heat to medium and, stirring frequently, saute onion until soft and pale gold. Add garlic and continue sauteing a few minutes more. Do not allow onion or garlic to burn. Add vegetables and broth. Bring soup to a boil. reduce heat to a simmer and cook about 10 minutes. Add oatmeal. Simmer 2 minutes more, or until oatmeal is tender. Add parsley and salt and pepper to taste.

Serve immediately.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 100; Fat: 3 g; Sodium: 589 mg; Protein: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 14 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Bread/Starch, 1 Lean-Meat

CHICKEN GUMBO SOUP

Recipe Yield: Yield: 6 servings

Serving Size: 1 cup

Source: The New Soul Food Cookbook for People with Diabetes

Book Title: The New Soul Food Cookbook for People with Diabetes

View online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/chicken-gumbo-soup

Ingredients

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced

3 cups reduced-sodium, reduced-fat chicken broth, divided

3 cups water

1 cup chopped onion

1 clove garlic, minced

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1 bay leaf

1/8 tsp sage

1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

1/4 tsp thyme

1 cup chopped fresh tomatoes

1 cup corn kernels, frozen or fresh

1 cup frozen okra

2 Tbsp canola oil

1/4 cup flour

2 cups cooked brown rice

Directions

Place the chicken in a large soup pot with 1 cup of broth. Bring to a boil.

Add the additional broth, water, onion, garlic, salt (omit this if you need to reduce total sodium), pepper, bay leaf, sage, red pepper flakes, and thyme and simmer for 20 minutes.

Add the tomatoes, corn, and okra and simmer for 15 minutes.

In a separate pan, heat the oil and flour and stir until the flour and oil are golden brown and bubbly, stirring constantly. Add 1 cup of the soup broth to the mixture and whisk until smooth.

Add the mixture back to the soup pot and whisk until dissolved. Simmer 30 minutes. Stir in the rice the last 10 minutes of cooking.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 279; Fat: 7 g; Sodium: 720 mg; Cholesterol: 43 mg; Protein: 23 g; Carbohydrates: 31 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 2-1/2 Starch; 2 Lean Meat

MINESTRONE SOUP

Recipe Yield: Yield: 4 servings (about 1 cup each)

Source: Cooking with The Diabetic Chef

Book Title: Cooking with The Diabetic Chef

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/minestrone-soup.

Ingredients

1/2 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 medium onion, finely diced

1/4 medium carrot, finely diced

1/4 stalk celery, finely diced

2/3 teaspoon garlic, minced

2 tablespoons leeks, finely diced

3 ounces (about 1/3 cup) canned tomatoes, chopped

1/2 medium zucchini, diced

1/4 teaspoon fresh thyme

3/4 teaspoon fresh oregano, minced

3 cups chicken stock

3 ounces (about 1/2 cup) frozen spinach, chopped

3/4 cup white beans, cooked

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon white pepper

1 teaspoon Parmesan cheese, grated

Directions

Heat the olive oil in a medium pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, and celery. Cook until the vegetables are slightly tender, about 3-4 minutes.

Add the garlic and leek and cook for 1 minute. Add the tomato, zucchini, thyme, oregano, and chicken stock. Bring the liquid to a simmer for 20 minutes.

Add the spinach and white beans. Return the liquid to a simmer for 20 minutes. Season with the salt and white pepper. Serve immediately and garnish with the Parmesan cheese.

Notes

Additional info: Dietary Fiber: 5 g, Sugars: 3 g

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 110; Fat: 3 g; Sodium: 283 mg; Cholesterol: 3 mg; Protein: 7 g; Carbohydrates: 15 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Starch, 1/2 Lean Meat, 1 Vegetable, 1/2 Fat

CHICKEN SOUP WITH LIME AND CILANTRO

Recipe Yield: Yield: 5 cups Serving size: 1 cup

Source: The New Family Cookbook for People with Diabetes

Book Title: The New Family Cookbook for People with Diabetes

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/chicken-soup-with-lime-and-cilantro.

Ingredients

1 quart Homemade Chicken Broth or canned reduced-sodium chicken broth

1 whole chicken breast, skinned, boned, and split, or 2 skinless, boneless breast halves (about 3/4 pound)

3 tablespoons fresh lime juice

1/4 cup coarsely cilantro leaves

Directions

Bring the broth to a simmer in a large saucepan.

Add the chicken; cover and simmer over low heat until it is just cooked through, about 8 to 10 minutes.

Remove and shred the chicken. Return it to the broth; add the lime juice and bring the soup to a boil.

Ladle into soup bowls; sprinkle with cilantro.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 102; Fat: 4 g; Sodium: 126 mg; Cholesterol: 41 mg; Protein: 18 g; Carbohydrates: 2 g; Sugars: 1 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 2 Lean Meat

ENCHILADA SOUP

This is from Old El Paso, and begins, "Give your go-to chicken dish a soup-upgrade with this Chicken Enchilada Soup recipe. The best part is that with the help of some Old El Paso™ enchilada sauce, your slow cooker will do the work for you. You can bring the heat with the hot sauce or keep it mild, but either way, it's an easy option to bring delicious chicken enchilada soup flavor to your next fall meal."

Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes; Makes 6 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/enchilada-soup.

Ingredients

2 cups Progresso™ chicken broth (from 32-oz carton)

1 can (19 oz) Old El Paso™ mild or hot enchilada sauce

1 can (4.5 oz) Old El Paso™ chopped mild green chiles

1 package (20 oz) bone-in chicken breasts, skin removed

1 can (15 oz) Progresso™ black beans, drained, rinsed

1 bag (12 oz) frozen corn, thawed, drained

Shredded Mexican cheese blend, if desired

Chopped fresh cilantro, if desired

Crushed tortilla chips, if desired

Preparation

Spray 4- to 5-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. In cooker, mix broth, enchilada sauce and chiles. Place chicken into enchilada sauce mixture; spoon sauce over chicken.

Cover; cook on Low heat setting 7 to 8 hours.

Remove chicken from cooker with slotted spoon. Stir beans and corn into mixture in cooker. Increase heat setting to High. Cover; cook 5 to 10 minutes longer. Meanwhile, shred chicken by pulling apart with 2 forks; return to cooker. Cook until thoroughly heated.

Top each serving with cheese, cilantro and tortilla chips.

Expert Tips

Transfer corn from freezer to refrigerator when chicken starts to cook. It will be completely thawed by the time it is added to the slow cooker.

Vary the heat in this soup by using mild or hot enchilada sauce and serving with red pepper sauce on the side.

Nutrition: Calories: 230 (Calories from Fat: 25), Total Fat: 3g (Saturated Fat: 1/2g, Trans Fat: 0g), Cholesterol: 40mg, Sodium: 940mg, Total Carbohydrate: 30g (Dietary Fiber: 7g, Sugars: 4g), Protein: 21g; % Daily Value*: Vitamin A: 6%; Vitamin C: 8%; Calcium: 6%; Iron: 15%; Exchanges: 2 Starch; 0 Fruit; 0 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 0 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 2 Lean Meat; 0 High-Fat Meat; 0 Fat; Carbohydrate Choices: 2

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.