Broccoli Chowder

If you're always looking for new and tasty soups to try while watching your carbs this recipe is relatively low in carbs and big on taste. It can be a great base as well for other stews like chicken and beef as well. Simply add to a blender and puree and add to any chicken or beef stew you have brewing.

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients:

    2 cups carrots peeled and sliced                                
    2 cups water                                                   
    2 cups chicken cooked diced                                
    1 1/2 cups chicken broth                            
    1 pound broccoli fresh stems pared and cut in 1/2 -inch slices 
    1/2 cup onions finely minced                                  
    1 teaspoon salt                                                
    1/2 cup cream of chicken condensed soup                                  
    2 cups milk                                                    
    1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Instructions:

Combine carrots, water, chicken, broth, broccoli, onion, and salt in a saucepan; bring to boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 10 minutes. Add in Cream of chicken soup slowly add in milk. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until ready to serve. Top with cheese. You can add many different types of cheese, you're only limited by your imagination.

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Cool as a Cucumber Soup

Tarator is a chilled yogurt and cucumber soup and is popular in the summer months (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Summer will soon be here and with it warm weather. Since most of us don't like to eat heavy dishes during the warm time of year, this cold cucumber soup make be just the perfect soup to serve on those hot days. 
 
Makes 4-6 servings

1/4 cup green onions chopped finely
1 tablespoon margarine
1 quart low sodium chicken stock
3 cups cucumbers peeled, seeded and cubed
3 tablespoons (Cream of Wheat)
1 teaspoon white wine vinegar

1/2 teaspoon dill weed dried

1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

1/2 cup sour cream (you can use plain yogurt too)

Dried dill weed



In a 3-quart saucepan over medium heat, sauté green onions in margarine for about 1 minute. Add chicken stock, cucumber, Cream of Wheat, vinegar and dill weed. Bring to a slow boil; reduce heat to low and simmer for about 20 minutes. Season with garlic salt. Add all to a blender or food processor and purée. Pour into a large bowl. Add in sour cream and pulse for a few minutes just until well incorporated. Chill until ready to eat.
Garnish with celery stalks, or fresh dill and a slice of lemon.

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Broccoli and Cheese soup

If you love broccoli and cheese you'll love this creamy low carb soup that is great for lunch time in the Spring. Try adding in different cheeses and spices to get a different flavor for your soup.
This recipe serves about 8. The carb count is around 10 grams per serving.


Ingredients:
    1/4 cup onions coarsely chopped                
    1 tablespoon margarine
    3 cups chicken bouillon                       
    2 cups iceberg lettuce chopped                
    1 10-ounce package frozen chopped broccoli  (you can use fresh too)
    1 cup of sharp shredded cheddar cheese        
    1/8 teaspoon black pepper                     
     Seasonings (your choice, see suggestions)
                                                     

In a 3-quart saucepan over medium heat, sauté onion in margarine for a few minutes until the onions become translucent and soft.

Add chicken bouillon, lettuce, broccoli and pepper. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for around 10 minutes or until broccoli is tender.

Add in shredded cheese and stir until melted.

Using a blender, take half of your batch and blend at the highest speed on your blender so that soup is pureed. Repeat with the remaining half.
You may need to reheat this soup once it has been blended.

Serving suggestions:
Add your choice of spices and herbs. Goes well with minced parsley, garlic powder, chives, and low carb bread croutons. A dash of red pepper flakes will give it a kick if added while cooking  the broccoli.

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• Squash Casserole
• Homemade chicken soup
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