Soup is on!

When the weather starts to get cold............like right now.........it is time to put away the ice cream maker and take out the crock pot.  Long simmering stews and soups are a great way to end the day at the dinner table.

There is something about the fall colors, textures and tones that make this the most cozy and wonderful season.  We are not yet housebound by icy roads.  But we are not outside by the BBQ either.  We are inside, wearing soft and warmer fabrics and smelling the fire in the fireplace.  We are wrapped up in wool and fleece and showing less skin that is now turning that lovely winter pale color of life in Maine!

We can look outside and see the bright colors of the leaves and the changing position of the sun. 

I always love the smell of soup cooking while the game is on.  I love the kids coming inside, cheeks all rosy and asking for hot chocolate (with mini marshmallows).

Soup of the day:

Katie's Versatile Vegetable:

I like this soup because it has virtually no calories and I add to it differently for each meal.  You can make it in the crock pot or a dutch over.

Start with garlic and onions sauteed in a large pan with extra virgin olive oil.  Once cooked through, add some shredded cabbage and exotic mushrooms.  When everything is soft, reduce heat and combine with a large can of pureed tomato and a large container of broth (chicken or vegetarian).  Let it all simmer for as long as you want.  Add salt and pepper, herbs and spices to taste. 

It contains no protein or starch, so other ideas that you can add individually to make it a meal:

Leftover rotisserie chicken
Chick peas
Can of tuna
Black beans
Brown rice
Israeli coos coos

The vegetable soup alone is a great snack when you need flavor and no calories (like at 3 pm!). It's also a great appetizer to fill you up before your main course if you're watching your calories.

The options are endless to what you can add.  Spice it up with pepper, tobasco, horseradish.....

Enjoy.

Katie