SOUPS & STEWS

Soup is amazing in my books... Okay, let's rephrase that. 

HOMEMADE soup is amazing ! ( and easy, and inexpensive...) 

Most of the processed foods out there contain gluten anyway. Not to mention high levels of sodium, preservatives and other things that will NOT nourish your body ! 

EASY BORSCHT 

What is Borscht, but just soup after all...and what better to warm yourself with on a cool Autumn day !
I made this one today....yummy.

1 1/2 - 2 lbs lean ground beef ( organic if possible)

1 small head green cabbage, chopped

1 med. onion, diced

aprox. 6 med. beets, peeled and chopped ( for low carb, use 1 small grated beet 

dry or fresh dillweed

1 clove garlic ( or to taste )

salt and pepper, parsley

Fry meat until well cooked, add onion and fry until tender.

add veggies and meat to a large pot, add seasonings and; cover with water or real beef broth ( not the artificial flavor cubes - ugh ! ) . Simmer slowly , covered, for a couple hours, until all veggies are cooked.( or in your crock pot all day ) Adjust seasonings to taste. Serve with a dollop of plain yogurt or sour cream .

CHICKEN SOUP 

This homemade chicken Soup is little bit different than the usual high carb fare, and a good source of Vitamin's A, C, riboflavin, and niacin  !

21/2 - 3 lb broiler chicken- free range & organic if possible  ( cut in 1/2 or 1/4's )

6 cups water

1 tsp. salt, pepper to taste

1 tsp. curry powder

1 TBSP. lemon juice

1-2 cloves minced garlic

1 large onion, chopped

2 TBSP. butter

2 TBSP. GMO free cornstarch ( omit for low carb) 

1 carrot, sliced

3  stalks celery, chopped

3/4 cup chopped kale or spinach

1 small chopped zucchini
1 cup chopped cauliflower

1 green pepper, chopped

2 tomatoes, chopped

fresh or dried parsley to taste

add chicken and spices to water in large pot. cover and simmer until chicken is well cooked ( about 1 -1 1/2 hours) remove chicken, cut  into chunks and return meat to pot.

Cook and stir onion and celery in butter until tender but not brown .

Remove from heat, stir in cornstarch or flour. stir into broth gradually and add remaining ingredients. 

Heat to boiling, reduce heat. Cover let it simmer until carrots are tender.

 adjust seasonings to taste.

Yummy variations...

1 Tsp. capers and 2 TBSP lemon juice

top each bowl with plain sour cream if desired