In the Mood for Warmth

It's a darn right cold and blustery day here in Southern Alberta.  The wind is blowing, the snow is falling as is the temperature.  Days like this always bring out soup craving in me.  Hot and comforting, a good delicious bowl of soup does much to not only fill our bellies but to make us feel cozy and warmed here at the Living to Tell household.  It that line of thinking I thought I'd share some of my favorite soup recipes with you.  Just in case you also need a little warming from the inside out.

Chicken Tortilla Soup - so delicious, I can't stop eating this stuff when I make it.

Cheeseburger Soup - my Youngest's (18) favorite.

Southwestern Ham & Bean Soup - Different and yummy.

Ham Bone Soup - mashed potatoes give it a nice creaminess

Ethel's Cabbage Soup - family fave

Silky Cauliflower Soup with Parmesan Crisps - yum, yum, yum

Authentic Hungarian Goulash - grew up with this.  So good.  On a side note a huge pet peeve?:   it makes me nuts when people label a recipe Hungarian goulash or Hungarian anything just because the thing has paprika and possibly sour cream in it.  Growing up on the authentic stuff and seeing what people label as a Hungarian dish makes twitch.  Goulash is a very minimal soup that is surprisingly full of flavor and hearty.  If you see hamburger/ground beef or macaroni, it's not authentic, in my humble opinion.  The link goes to a recipe that I found that is most like my mom's, except hers has no caraway and she would never use tomato paste, always fresh tomatoes.  And although totally delicious, she never added the "csipetke".

Lentil Soup - my kids devoured this even when they were little

There's a handful of some bowls full of delicousness.  Today I am trying out a new one.

Lemon Ginger Lentil Soup.  I've just discovered quinoa so I'm on a recipe finding kick for this ancient grain.  I'll let you know how this turns out.

Interesting facts about Quinoa the super grain:

1. Quinoa is one of the most protein-rich foods we can eat. It is a complete protein containing all nine essential amino acids.

2. Quinoa contains almost twice as much fiber as most other grains. Fiber is most widely known to relieve constipation. It also helps to prevent heart disease by reducing high blood pressure and diabetes. Fiber lowers cholesterol and glucose levels, may lower your risk of developing hemorrhoids and may help you to lose weight as it takes a longer time to chew than does other foods because it makes you feel fuller for longer and is less “energy dense” which means it has fewer calories for the same volume of food.

3. Quinoa contains Iron. Iron helps keep our red blood cells healthy and is the basis of hemoglobin formation. Iron carries oxygen from one cell to another and supplies oxygen to our muscles to aid in their contraction. Iron also increases brain function because the brain takes in about 20% of our blood oxygen. There are many benefits of iron some more of which include neurotransmitter synthesis, regulation of body temperature, aids enzyme activity and energy metabolism.

4. Quinoa contains lysine. Lysine is mainly essential for tissue growth and repair.

5. Quinoa is rich in magnesium. Magnesium helps to relax blood vessels and thereby to alleviate migraines. Magnesium also may reduce Type 2 diabetes by promoting healthy blood sugar control. Other health benefits of magnesium include transmission of nerve impulses, body temperature regulation, detoxification, energy production, and the formation of healthy bones and teeth.

6. Quinoa is high in Riboflavin (B2). B2 improves energy metabolism within brain and muscle cells and is known to help create proper energy production in cells.

7. Quinoa has a high content of manganese. Manganese is an antioxidant, which helps to prevent damage of mitochondria during energy production as well as to protect red blood cells and other cells from injury by free radicals.

     

     Source:  Forbes