It’s pumpkin season! Looking for some ways to include this tasty vegetable as a meal instead of a decadent dessert or quick bread? Try this quick and easy crockpot recipe!
Crockpot Pumpkin Soup
This is a super quick to prepare soup! Pretty much just dump everything into a crockpot, and let it cook away! Serve with some lean protein and side salad for a complete fall meal!
Per 1 1/2 cups:
1 serving grains/starchy vegetables
1 serving non-starchy vegetable
Ingredients
- 2 cups pumpkin puree (fresh or canned)
- 6 cups low-sodium vegetable stock
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 1 cup white onion, chopped
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup (or agave, honey, sugar)
- 1 teaspoon tumeric
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- salt and black pepper to taste
Directions
Step 1
|
Pour pumpkin, vegetable stock, maple syrup, garlic and spices into crockpot and stir. Add chopped vegetables. Cover and cook on low heat for 8-9 hours, or high heat for 5-6 hours.
Blend soup in small batches, or use hand blender. |
Craving corn chowder? Try this recipe, featuring even more vegetables, and much less fat!
Creamy Vegetable Chowder
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Smart Balance butter
- 1 Large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 1 Large carrot, chopped
- 1 red pepper, diced
- 3 tablespoons poblano pepper, minced (optional)
- 2 Yukon Gold potatoes, washed and diced
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 2 cups frozen or canned sweet corn
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 1/2 cups skim milk
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- black pepper and salt to taste
- shredded low-fat cheddar cheese for topping, optional
Note
Love corn chowder? This is a great recipe that includes even more nutritious vegetables, and much less fat, without sacrificing the taste!
Directions
Step 1
|
In a large soup pot over medium-high heat, add butter, onion, and garlic and saute for 2-3 minutes. |
Step 2
|
Add remaining vegetables (expect for corn) and broth to pot, and cook about 10 minutes until vegetables are tender. |
Step 3
|
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk flour and milk. Pour into soup pot with vegetables and broth. |
Step 4
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Add corn, thyme, black pepper and salt. Let simmer 20-30 minutes. |
Step 5
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Serve with shredded cheese if desired. |
Have you ever thought that food may play a role in your mood? Well, it just may. Usually our mood helps determine what we choose for food, but perhaps we should let our food help improve our mood! Foods rich in omega 3 fatty acid, folic acid, tryptophan, and selenium may help with memory, as well as mood improvement according to abc’s KABC-TV. Check out this link to read more!
Try this Super Easy Salmon Salad recipe for a healthy helping of omega 3’s! Great served with lettuce, whole grain crackers, or whole-grain pita bread!
Super Easy Salmon Salad
Ingredients
- 2 (15oz) cans salmon, drained
- 1 tablespoon plain, non-fat yogurt
- 2 tablespoons reduced-fat mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 4 tablespoons fresh chopped dill
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Directions
Step 1
|
Add salmon to a large bowl, and fork to gently seperate. Add all other ingredients and mix well. |
Chile, Tomato, and Rice Soup
This is a simple soup to make for the family. A twist on the classic tomato and rice soup- with an extra kick!
Nutritional Information per serving:
Calories 100; Fat 4g (sat 0.5g); Carbohydrate 14g; Sodium 450mg; Protein 3g; Cholesterol 0mg; Fiber 2g
Food Groups per serving:
1 vegetable, 1 fat, 1 carb choice
Ingredients
- 1 (35 oz) can peeled tomatoes in juice, drained and chopped
- 1 Large onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
- 1 fresh hot chile pepper (such as jalapeno), seeded and minced, or to taste
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 quarts Pacific Brand fat-free & cholesterol-free chicken broth or vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon dried marjoram
- 1/3 cup long-grain brown rice
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Directions
Step 1
|
In a blender or food processor fitted with the metal blade, process the tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, chile pepper, and garlic until smooth. In a large soup pot, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the tomato mixture and cook, stirring often, until thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the stock and marjoram and bring to a simmer over high heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 1 hour. |
Step 2
|
Add the rice, cover, and continue simmering until the rice is tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in the cilantro and serve the soup hot. |