Thursday, October 30, 2014

Chicken and Butternut Squash Quinoa Stew

INGREDIENTS
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or chicken breasts
  • 1 can (14-oz) petite or regular diced tomatoes
  • 3 cups chopped butternut squash (about 1 medium squash, peeled and seeded)
  • 2/3 cup uncooked quinoa
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1-2 cups chopped fresh spinach
DIRECTIONS
  1. In a large 4 quart pot heat the olive oil until hot. Add the chopped onions, oregano, and garlic. Saute for 5-7 minutes, stirring often, until the onion is softened. Add the broth and bring to a boil. Add the chicken and boil until the chicken is cooked, 7-9 minutes. Remove the chicken to a plate.
  2. Add the tomatoes, butternut squash, and quinoa. Simmer for 15 minutes until the squash is tender and quinoa is cooked. If desired, scoop out some of the squash, mash it and return it to the pot. Shred the cooked chicken and return to the pot. Add the salt and pepper, adding more salt to taste, if needed. Stir in the spinach. Cook 1-2 minutes until the spinach is wilted. Serve warm.
http://www.melskitchencafe.com/chicken-and-butternut-squash-quinoa-stew/

Split Pea Soup with Ham

Split Pea Soup with Ham
Recipe by Our Best Bites
1 lb. dried split peas, rinsed and sorted
2 quarts chicken or vegetable broth or 8 c. water + 8 tsp. chicken or vegetable bouillon or soup base
1 lb. bone-in ham, diced into small pieces and trimmed of excessive fat
2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
4-5 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp. marjoram
1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
pinch of thyme
1 bay leaf
1 tsp. malt vinegar
Place all the ingredients in a slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4 hours. You can also cook it on high until it starts to boil and then turn the setting on low until you’re ready to serve the soup. Top with Sourdough Garlic-Herb Croutons. Makes 8 1 1/2-cup servings.
Nutritional Information
Per 1 1/2 c. serving
Calories: 165
Fat: 5.2
Fiber: 5.5
Carbs: 17.6
Protein: 19
Weight Watchers Points: 51/8 Recipe of Croutons: 2 points