Winter season = Soup season

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 Winter is soon to be upon us, and the sparkling snow will soon be making its debut. With the snow we tend to think about Christmas time, holidays, lights, family, and memories. However, with the snow comes the freezing cold that not everyone views as ideal. Did you know that during the winter our body’s need more of certain nutrients than when in the summer? Well it does and some nutrients are Vitamin C, B12, and E, protein, Zinc, and Chromium. Therefore, why not make a soup that contains almost all of the nutrients you need to eat during the wintertime. This way you are getting your nutrients and you’re making sure you stay toasty and warm.  

 

Many of these ingredients are simple household ingredients that you could already have on hand. With the weather being cold and roads being slippery not many people want to go to the grocery store as often. Therefore, making a soup with ingredients you may already have is the way to go. Another plus being you can freeze the soup and save it for later when you just feel like having a warm cup of winter soup while watching the beautiful snow come down. 

 

Serves 12

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 40 minutes

 

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 package (14 ounces) smoked sausage, cut into 1/4-inch slices
  • 1 large sweet red pepper, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 8 shallots, chopped
  • 8 cups chopped fresh kale
  • 3 cups frozen corn (about 15 ounces)
  • 1 can (15-1/2 ounces) great northern beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 8 cups vegetable broth
  • 3/4 cup uncooked orzo pasta


          Directions

          1.     In a Dutch oven, heat butter over medium-high heat; sauté sausage with pepper and shallots until browned

          2.     Add kale; cook, covered, until kale is wilted, 2-3 minutes. Stir in all remaining ingredients except the orzo; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 20 minutes

          3.     Return to a boil. Stir in orzo. Cook until pasta is tender, 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally

           

          Link to recipe: https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/winter-country-soup/  

          Nutrition Facts

          1 cup: 258 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 25mg cholesterol, 1067mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 10g protein.


           

          This recipe is a warm hearty soup that will fill your belly with many great nutrients while also keeping you warm during these cold months that will be arriving soon. It will be a showstopper soup so make a big pot and share some with your friends and family. 

           

          Looking to make the recipe vegetarian? Then remove the smoked sausage and add more beans such as garbanzo beans to make it even more hearty and protein filled.

           

          Looking to make the recipe vegan? Substitute the butter for the olive oil or any vegan butter substitute, while also removing the smoked sausage and adding more beans. 

           

          -AV

           

          References

          https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/winter-country-soup/

          https://www.avogel.co.uk/food/7-nutrients-which-your-body-may-need-more-of-this-winter/

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