Green and Red Soup

[FrugalSue]

This is a recipe I got from another list I'm on. It's from "Body Clutter," which is currently one of the top selling books on Amazon.com. I'm reading the book right now, and it's an eye-opener. It's helping me figure out some of my emotional eating issues.

You can make a big pot of this soup on the weekend and then eat different variations of it for lunch at work during the week.

Soup Recipe: Green & Red Soup
Remember: All canned soups are over-processed and full of salt. This
will take you mere minutes to make and it's downright good and healthy

INGREDIENTS: (Serves 12)

1 large onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, pressed
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 large carrots, chopped
2 small celery stalks, chopped
1 medium turnip, chopped
1/4 of a head of cabbage, chopped
1/2 teaspoon thyme
Salt and pepper to taste
2 (14.5-oz.) cans low sodium diced tomatoes, un-drained *
6 cups low sodium chicken broth

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS:
In a large soup pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the
onion and cook till nearly translucent.

Now add the garlic—don't let the garlic brown! Saute another couple of
minutes.

Add the rest of the chopped veggies, saute for just a minute or two.
You're not cooking them—just saute for the wonderful flavor this quick
step will infuse in your soup.

Add the thyme and salt and pepper while sauting. Now put the veggies
in a crock pot, then add the tomatoes and broth.

Cook on low heat setting for 7 to 9 hours (depending on your crock
pot) or on high for 4 to 6 hours.

*add another can of tomatoes if you start to lose your tomato count! (Sue's note: I'm not sure what this means, I haven't finished reading the book yet)

SERVING SUGGESTIONS: A sandwich or salad.

YUMMY VARIATIONS:
Some Quick Fixes for Variations on the Green & Red Soup:
(Now remember: Don't do this to the whole pot of soup! Just the little
bit you pull out to fix yourself for lunch, etc.)

Quick Fix #1: Add green beans (leftovers are ideal) to your bowl of soup.

Quick Fix #2: Add a handful of baby spinach and heat to just wilt the
spinach. Serve with a sprinkling of grated Parmesan cheese on top.

Quick Fix #3: Add some cooked broccoli. I like this with a dash of
crushed red pepper flakes.

Quick Fix #4: Add some bok choy and snow peas (both cooked) and a
splash of low sodium soy sauce for an Asian taste.