Soup is a quick, hot meal that offers plenty of health benefits:
- High source of fluids and minerals which keeps your body hydrated and functioning well.
- Preserves its nutritional value. Veggies and spices used to prepare soups are generally full of vitamins and antioxidants which have anti-inflammatory properties.
- Full of healthy fiber
- Rich in taste
- Provides a sense of fullness, satiety while keeping a low-calorie intake
TIPS: Throw a variety of ingredients into a slow cooker in the morning before you leave for work or school and return home to a delicious meal in the evening. You can even use up leftovers in a soup pot and create new variations of your favorite recipes, since soup tends to lend itself to experimentation.
Jenny Spaulding RN, CDCES
Spicy Sausage Kale Bean Soup
Ingredients
1 lb Italian pork sausage meat, crumbled
1/2 medium onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves
1 carton of chicken broth (32 oz)
2 cups heavy cream
1 can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained (14 oz)
2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 bunch of kale, coarsely chopped
Rustic bread, for serving
Serves 6 to 8.
Directions
1. In a large Dutch oven over medium heat, cook sausage, onion and garlic for 5 minutes, or until onion has softened and sausage is browned. Remove any excess fat drippings.
2. Add chicken broth, heavy cream, cannellini beans and sweet potatoes. Cover pot and bring soup to a boil.
3. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes.
4. Stir in kale and cook for 5 more minutes, still covered.
5. Serve each bowl of soup with a slice of rustic bread.
Serves 6 to 8.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 670
Fat: 53g
Cholesterol: 165mg
Sodium: 1080mg
Total Carbohydrates: 29g
Dietary Fiber: 7g
Sugars: 6g
Protein: 20g
Source: https://www.guideposts.org/better-living/recipes/soup/spicy-sausage-kale-bean-soup
