Simple Soul-Warming Tortellini Soup
6 servings
A cozy bowl of delicious ingredients can also be health food. The spinach in this soup provides a rich source of antioxidants, iron and micronutrients – and the tomatoes offer loads of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant found to help fight heart disease and cancer.
INGREDIENTS
1 tsp olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained
3 14.5-ounce cans vegetable broth
1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
1 9-ounce package refrigerated cheese tortellini
4 cups fresh baby spinach
Shredded parmesan cheese
Salt and black pepper to personal taste
INSTRUCTIONS
• Over medium heat, add oil to large saucepan and swirl to coat the bottom of the pan. Add garlic and stir for one minute.
• Add tomatoes, broth and Italian seasoning; bring to a boil.
• Add tortellini and bring to a gentle boil. Cook uncovered until tortellini is tender –seven to nine minutes, or according to the package directions. Stir in spinach until wilted. Flavor with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Serve topped with shredded parmesan.
• NOTE: This vegetarian recipe perfectly adapts for meat-lovers with the addition of sliced chicken Italian sausage. If including sausage, sauté with the garlic before adding the rest of the ingredients.
Shortcut Rosemary Focaccia
8 servings
One of life’s greatest pleasures is freshly baked bread, and this super-simple recipe takes all the guesswork and time out of making a perfect loaf. Thanks to the use of healthy antioxidant-loaded olive oil and flavorful toppings, there is no need to add butter.
INGREDIENTS
1 loaf (1 pound) frozen bread dough, thawed according to package directions
2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup thinly sliced sweet onion
1 1/2 tsp minced garlic
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
2 Tbsp minced fresh rosemary (two teaspoons if substituting dried rosemary)
INSTRUCTIONS
• Roll or press out dough with hands onto a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet. Flattened dough should measure approximately 9” x 13”.
• Brush dough with oil and top with onion, garlic, cheese and rosemary.
• Bake at 400° for 15-20 minutes, until golden brown and cheese is melted. Allow to cool at least five minutes before slicing.
Ready-in-a-Flash Chicken & Northern Bean Chili
8 servings
Tasty great northern beans are very high in fiber, an important part of a well-balanced diet to reduce risk of heart disease and diabetes while maintaining good digestion. Also high in iron and protein, northern beans assist with decreasing muscle mass loss and combating anemia.
INGREDIENTS
3 15.5-ounce cans great northern beans, rinsed and drained
17.5 ounces canned chunk chicken breast (one 12.5-ounce can and one 5-ounce can)
1 1/4 cups half-and-half
1 cup sour cream
1 4-ounce can chopped green chiles
2 tsp salt-free seasoning blend (such as McCormick® Salt Free Garlic & Herb Seasoning)
1 tsp cumin
1 cup shredded Italian cheese blend
Salt, black pepper and hot sauce to personal taste
Optional: Additional sour cream, fresh cilantro, sliced avocado
INSTRUCTIONS
• Combine first seven ingredients in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Remove from heat and stir in shredded cheese until melted. Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve warm. If desired, top with an added dollop of sour cream, cilantro and sliced avocado.
