Soup for the Soul

June 23rd, 2011

Soup is a great way to warm up on a chilly evening and get all of your essential vitamins and nutrients to complete a healthy diet. These soup recipes are great for reviving your health and your attitude, so you can feel more prepared for the day ahead.

One delicious soup recipe for all the Mexican food lovers out there is the Chili-Spiced Chicken Soup with Stoplight Peppers and Avocado Relish. The name alone will have your mouth watering for a taste of this delicious soup. This particular recipe yields eight servings, so you can make enough soup for the whole family and still have some leftover for tomorrow!

First, you’ll need the following ingredients:

Spice blend:
2 1/2 tsps chili powder
2 tsps ground cumin
1 1/2 tsps ground coriander
1 tsp oregano (dried)
1 tsp cracked black pepper
1/2 tsp kosher salt

Soup:
1 tbsp canola oil
1 1/4 pound of 1/2-inch wide strips of skinless, boneless chicken breasts
2 cups chopped sweet onion
1 cup chopped red bell pepper
1 cup chopped green bell pepper
1 cup chopped yellow bell pepper
1 tbsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups fresh corn kernels
1 carton (32-ounce) fat-free, low-sodium chicken broth
1 can (28-ounce) fire-roasted crushed tomatoes
2 tbsps fresh lime juice

Relish:
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/3 cup chopped green onions
1 tsp grated lime rind
3 oz. crumbled queso fresco
1 avocado, diced and peeled
Cilantro sprigs (optional)

Preparation:
Step One: For the spice blend, take all the ingredients listed and mix them in a small bowl.
Step Two: For the soup, pour two teaspoons of oil into a large, non-stick saucepan and place over medium to high heat. Add in the chicken and pinch 1 1/2 tablespoons from your spice bowl over the chicken. Saute the mix for approximately 10 minutes or until cooked thoroughly. Set aside to cool. Chop the cook chicken and set it aside.
Step Three: Use the remaining one teaspoon of oil in the pan for the rest of the soup. Heat the oil and add in bell peppers, onion, garlic, and 1/2 teaspoon salt for added flavor. Add the vegetable mixture over the leftover spice blend and saute for 10 minutes or until the vegetables are soft. Add in the broth, tomatoes, chicken, and corn and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for approximately 15 minutes. Sprinkle lime juice over the concoction.
Step Four: Prepare the relish by combining the chopped cilantro and the following four ingredients.
Step Five: Serve the soup into bowls and top with 1/4 cup of relish. Garnish with cilantro sprigs and enjoy!

If you’re looking for something a little simpler or perhaps more exotic, here is a great recipe for Miso Soup so you can cook up a delicious Oriental meal right in your own home.

Ingredients:
2 1/4 cups of water
2 ounces cubed, firm tofu
1 tbsp light miso paste
2 tsps barley miso paste
1/2 cup fresh spinach, washed and chopped
1 thinly sliced green onion

Preparation:
Step One: Pour the water into a medium saucepan and bring to a boil.
Step Two: Ladle out approximately 1/2 cup of boiling water and set aside.
Step Three: Add in the tofu.
Step Four: Turn heat down to medium, cover, and leave cooking for 1-2 minutes.
Step Five: Add in the spinach or substitute with bok choy. Simmer for 1-2 minutes or until greens are at the desired tenderness. Remove from heat.
Step Six: Mix in the white miso and barley miso with the hot water set aside in step two and stir the final product into the soup.
Step Seven: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish the dishes with scallion. Serve and enjoy!

About the author: Diane Johnson writes about a number of her interests including cooking, shopping, and online education.

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