Hearty soups warm you from the inside out

  • By Kyle Valentini
  • October 3, 2012
  • 480
                        
Summary: Break out the crock pot and the Dutch oven this winter to create hearty soups and stews that will warm you up from the inside-out. Cooler weather prompts a change in diet as you long for food that will warm you up. Soups and stews are perfect comfort foods for winter and will leave you satisfied. Full of fiber from vegetables and protein from lean meats or legumes omnivores as well as vegetarians can enjoy some of winter’s hearty fare. The standard beef stew or piping hot pot of slow-cooked chili is not meant to be diminished when considering something new to add to develop a broader palette. Seasonal items are the first to turn to when you want to find the freshest flavors and the most nutrition. Roasted pumpkin and apples from autumn’s harvest make for a delicious and different dish that will add some much-needed color to the gray days of winter. Choosing locally grown pumpkins and apples grown without chemical sprays will add to the nutritive value of this incredibly velvet soup that serves as a meal when paired with bread and salad. Pumpkins and apples keep well and can be stored without refrigeration for months at a time making them staple items in your winter pantry. When preparing winter soups and stew make more than you need for leftovers worth heating up later in the week. Planning ahead can keep you and your family eating healthier food that warms you up and creates Roasted Pumpkin Apple Soup 4 pounds pie pumpkin, peeled, seeded and cut into 2-inch chunks 4 large sweet-tart organic apples, such as Empire or Braeburn, unpeeled, cored and cut into eighths 1/4 cup good extra-virgin olive oil 1 1/4 teaspoons sea salt, divided 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage (use less if you must use dried) 6 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth, homemade is always best 1/3 cup chopped hazelnuts, toasted 2 tablespoons hazelnut oil Assemble all these delicious ingredients and preheat your oven to 450 degrees. If that seems too high keep in mind it is winter and the added warmth will be a welcome addition to your chilly house. Toss pumpkin pieces, apples, olive oil and some of the salt and pepper in a big bowl. Spread the mixture on a cookie sheet and roast for about 30 minutes turning once or twice to avoid burning. Add the sage and continue roasting until the pumpkin is soft and your whole house smells like one of those expensive candles. In batches puree the roasted mixture in a blender or food processor taking all the necessary precautions not to burn yourself or scream obscenities in the case you do burn yourself. Season with remainder of salt and pepper and place mixture in a stock pot. Continue to cook over low heat until thoroughly heated. Serve drizzled with hazelnut oil and a sprinkling of nuts with pieces of crusty bread and a salad for a delicious winter meal. Loaded with vitamin A, vitamin C and potassium this soup is filling and if consumed in sensible one cup portions has less than two hundred calories.


Loading next article...

End of content

No more pages to load