Chicken Noodle Soup witth Kale

The hubby and I have been sick for the past two weeks. First Alex, then me.. Sort of.

 I've been riding the fence between sick and healthy. Not quite sick but just off!

C'est La Vie.

So it was off to the kitchen with me to make some chicken noodle soup. I found a basic recipe on one of my faves, Brown Eyed Baker and made some additions to add a few more vitamins! Some kale which is high in vitamin C, calcium, and potassium; Garlic which has selenium to help detox the liver, zinc, which is supposed to help reduce the duration of a cold and (of course) more vitamin C. I then added some diced green onion for color and purely because Alex asked for it. 

The soup turned out tasty if a little under seasoned. I think this will be my go to recipe for a warm comforting meal when I'm under the weather! It's the perfect combination of two of my new favorites...Kale and Soup! It lasts for about 3 days for 2 people and freezes well.

Chicken Noodle Soup with Kale:
Recipe Adapted from Brown Eyed Baker 

2-3 Leaves of Kale, Chopped or approx. 1 1/2 C. pre-chopped kale
3 Cloves of Garlic, Minced
2 Tbs Olive Oil
1 Medium Onion, Chopped
1 Large Carrot, Sliced to about 1/4 in. thick
1 Stalk of Celery, Sliced a 1/4 inch thick
12 C. or 3 Quarts of Chicken Stock
3 Chicken breasts Grilled and shredded or cut up into small pieces
2 C. of Fusilli pasta
1/4 C. Minced fresh Parsley
3 Green Onions, thinly sliced
Garlic Powder, Salt and Black Pepper

Directions:
Heat a Soup pot or large stock pot. Add the onion, carrots, kale, celery and minced garlic. Saute for about 5 minutes.
Season vegetables lightly with salt and pepper then add in chicken stock and chicken meat.
Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and let it continue simmering for 10 to 12 minutes.
Stir in the Fusilli pasta, and let cook for 10-12 minutes until Al Dente.
Stir in the parsley and green onion.
Taste and then season with salt and pepper if needed.

Remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes so the flavors can meld. Serve and Enjoy!!

Sweet Potato Coriander and Lentil Stew

Soup is one of those great things that I never used to appreciate as a kid. I guess there’s just something about it that didn’t appeal to my young taste buds. As an adult and especially since getting married and learning how to run my own household I have found a new love in soup. It is a filling, easy and very flexible dish that can last for 3 to 4 days or more, which when you have a particularly busy week is a VERY  "Good Thing" (to quote Martha Stewart).

About a year ago I received Jillian Michael's Master your metabolism cook book as a gift from my sister Christina, and unfortunately have not used it until now. I don’t know if you could tell, but I Love sweet potato!! So when I saw this recipe I new I had to make it. So glad i did, it was delicious and a great introduction to lentils as well. i hope you will try it as a healthy, vegetarian, but very yummy dinner option.

Sweet Potato Coriander Lentil Stew 

Adapted from Jillian Michael's, Master Your Metabolism 

Ingredients:

2 Tbs Olive Oil 

1 Lb Brown Lentils 

2 Carrots, Chopped

2 Stalks Celery, Chopped
1/2 Red Onion, Chopped
1 Clove of Garlic, Minced
1 Fresh or Dry Bay Leaf
7 C. Water
1 Large Sweet potato (about 1 Lb), peeled and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 (14oz can) Diced Tomatoes
1 Tbs Fresh Lemon Juice (or lime).
1/2 C. Fresh Cilantro, chopped. 
1/2 Tsp Salt
1/4 Tsp Black Pepper
8 Tbs. plain low fat yogurt for serving

Directions:

Heat olive oil in pan over medium heat. Add celery, red onion, and carrots, cook until softened, about 6 minutes. Add the garlic, and cumin, cook for 30 seconds more. Add the lentils, water, and the bay leaf. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to simmer, cover and continue cooking for 10 minutes before adding sweet potatoes. Cook for another 12-15 minutes or until sweet potatoes are just tender. Stir in tomatoes with their juice, the lemon or lime juice, salt and black pepper. Taste and adjust lemon juice and salt if you feel it needs more. Serve with yogurt and extra cilantro. Serves 8. Enjoy!!