Live Healthy Live Well

What better way to comfort yourself on a chilly day than with the wonderful aroma of soup simmering on the stove?  From hearty vegetable soups to creamy bisques to refreshing chilled soups; soup can be used for appetizers, main dishes, side dishes or desserts and are an economic staple in many diets.

Soup-based meals can help stretch your food dollar while offering a hearty, nutritious, quick and easy meal option.  Soup can be a tasty way to add healthy beans, legumes, grains and vegetables to your diet and a convenient, yet inexpensive way to add protein, vitamins, minerals and fiber.

And after you’ve enjoyed your delicious “bowl of bountiful comfort,” take care to store leftovers properly. According to the United States Department of Agriculture it would take an 8-inch stock pot of steaming chicken soup 24 HOURS to cool to a safe temperature in your refrigerator.  To be safe:

• Place the pot of soup into a sink full of ice water. Stir frequently – every 10 minutes to help disperse the heat.  Divide large amounts of hot leftover soup into shallow containers – less than 2 inches deep – for quick cooling in the refrigerator.  Once cooled, refrigerate promptly, covering when chilled.  Use within 2 days.
• Freeze soup for longer storage. Leave ½-inch space at top of container.  Use within 2-3 months.
• To reheat soup, heat to steaming hot throughout, at least 165 degrees F.

Here are a couple of my favorite soup recipes for you to enjoy!

Lentil and Brown Rice Soup

1 (2 oz.) envelope of Onion, Beefy Onion, or Beefy Mushroom Recipe Soup Mix

1 (14 ½ oz.) can whole peeled tomatoes, un-drained and coarsely chopped

4 c. water

¾ c. lentils, rinsed and drained

½ c. uncooked brown rice or regular rice

1 medium carrot, coarsely chopped

1 large stalk of celery, coarsely chopped

½ tsp. basil leaves

½ tsp. oregano

¼ tsp. thyme leaves (optional)

1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

¼ tsp. pepper

In large saucepan or stockpot, combine soup mix, water, lentils, uncooked rice, tomatoes, carrot, celery, basil, oregano and thyme.  Bring to a boil, then simmer covered, stirring occasionally, 45 minutes or until lentils and rice are tender.  Stir in remaining ingredients.  Makes about 3 – 2 c. servings.

Tired of getting your fingers burned when removing a piping hot bowl of soup from the microwave?  Learn how to make a microwave cozy.

Chilled Strawberry Soup

1 (10 oz.) pkg. frozen strawberries in syrup, thawed

1 c. low-fat sour cream

2 T. cornstarch dissolved in ½ c. cold water

2 c. whole milk

2 to 4 T. strawberry liqueur

whipping cream for garnish

Boil strawberries in medium saucepan; stir in cornstarch mixture.  Stir and simmer for 3 minutes.  Transfer to a bowl and cool to room temperature.  Whisk in sour cream, milk, and strawberry liqueur.  Cover and chill.

Resources/References:

The Food Safety Educator, http://www.aamp.com/foodsafety/documents/FSE-Volume6- No2.pdf, Volume 6, No. 2, 2001, retrieved January 21, 2014.

Seven Simple Soups and Stews, Alice Henneman, MS, RD, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension.

Soup: What You Need to Know & Favorite Recipes, Wisconsin Cooperative Extension Service.

Written by:  Cynthia R. Shuster, CFLE, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, OSU Extension, Perry County, Buckeye Hills EERA

Reviewed by:  Donna Green, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, OSU Extension, Erie County, Erie Basin EERA

Reviewed by:  Jennifer Lindimore, Office Associate, OSU Extension, Morgan County, Buckeye Hills EERA

Kimberly Barnhart, Office Associate, OSU Extension, Perry County, Buckeye Hills EERA

CFAES provides research and related educational programs to clients on a nondiscriminatory basis. For more information: go.osu.edu/cfaesdiversity