Tag Archives: broth

Asian Chicken Soup

If you use Perdue Chicken Shortcuts, the prep on this is 5 minutes – that’s it ! And it tastes like you spent hours putting it together – it is a very spicy, super flavorful and highly nutritious meal. Don’t serve to the kids with the chili sauce in it, but if you are adventurous, try 2 t instead of 1 ½ of the chili sauce – -it makes it a kickin’ hot soup 🙂

Asian Chicken Soup
Asian Chicken Soup

5 servings
120 calories per serving

3 c fat free chicken broth
2 c shredded cooked chicken (Perdue Shortcuts work great here !)
2 t soy sauce
1 1/2 t chili sauce with garlic (available in the Asian section of your food market)
2 1/2 c frozen broccoli stir fry mix

Combine broth, chicken, soy and chili sauce. Cover and bring to a boil and then add vegetables and return to boil. Remove from heat and serve immediately.

Spicy Soup

When I eat something nice and spicy, it somehow leaves me more satisfied – my mouth KNOWS it just ate ! This soup does the trick. Serve with a side of Whole Wheat Garlic Toast for a nice, complete meal.

Spicy Soup
Spicy Soup

2 servings
248 calories per serving

2 c vegetable stock or broth (Emeril’s is great !)
2 small cans Spicy V-8 juice
1 T minced onion
2 T minced celery
1/4 c celery, thinly sliced
3 T fresh celery leaves
1 1/2 c shredded carrots
1 15.5 oz. can chick peas
1 bay leaf
Salt and pepper to taste
Garlic powder to taste

Mix all together in a pan and simmer 15-20 minutes. To give it more of a Mexican flair, add a bit of ground cumin and 1/4 c cilantro leaves. Remove bay leaf before serving.

Cavatelli with Escarole

This is one of my absolute favorites and I have made it many times. It’s a great meal to serve for guests as they do not feel like they are on a diet (just give them bigger portions) and you don’t have to break your 400 calorie habit when entertaining !

Cavatelli with Escarole
Cavatelli with Escarole

4 servings
359 calories per serving

8 oz frozen cavatelli
1 1/2 t oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 t crushed red pepper flakes
1 lb. escarole
1 can small white beans, drained and rinsed
1 c low fat chicken broth
1/4 t salt
1/4 t garlic powder
1/4 c grated parmesan cheese

Cook the cavatelli according to package instructions. Drain and keep warm. In a Dutch oven or large pot heat oil over medium high heat. Add garlic and red pepper and cook, stirring frequently, about 1 minute. Clean the escarole, trimming away any bad spots and getting rid of the tough outer leaves and then chop it or tear it into pieces about the same size you would make them for a salad. Add a handful of escarole at a time to the pot stirring until it is all mixed well. Cook 5 minutes. Add the beans and cook 5 or more minutes, or until the escarole is wilted. Add the broth and salt and garlic powder and cook 5 minutes. Add the cavatelli and cook a minute or so, just to heat through pasta. Remove from pan, sprinkle with cheese, and serve immediately.

Spinach with Mushrooms

Both spinach and mushrooms are low on the calorie scale, but high on the flavor scale. Combine them for a great tasting very low calorie side dish that you can whip up in just minutes.

Spinach with Mushrooms
Spinach with Mushrooms

4 servings
52 calories per serving

2 shallots, sliced thinly
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 c beef broth
3/4 t oil
4 oz fresh or canned mushrooms, sliced or quartered if button
1 lb. baby spinach leaves
1/4 t pepper
1/4 t salt
¼ t garlic powder

Combine shallots, garlic, 2T broth and oil in skillet. Cook 5 minutes or until shallots are softened. Add mushrooms and the remaining broth and cook 5 more minutes or until mushrooms are softened. Place on high heat and add spinach a bit at a time and stir until spinach is wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Add salt, garlic powder and pepper and serve.

Beef Stew

There’s nothing like a hot bowl of stew on a cold night. This one is packed with goodness and tastes so very yummy !

Beef Stew
Beef Stew

4 servings
275 calories per serving

1 lb. lean steak (sirloin, London broil, filet, etc.) cut into 1 inch cubes
8 oz. sliced mushrooms
2 c green beans
2 large carrots, peeled and sliced
1 lb. potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes (about 1 very large)
1 can (14 oz.) fat free beef broth
1 can (14 oz.) fat free beef gravy
¼ t garlic powder
1/8 t onion powder
Salt and pepper to taste
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 t olive oil

Heat pan to medium high heat and then add oil. When oil is hot, add beef. Sprinkle with garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. Cook beef until browned on all sides, about 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another 5 minutes on medium heat, stirring occasionally. Add broth, gravy, and carrots. Bring to a boil. Then cover and cook 45 minutes on low heat. Add potatoes and cook another 30 minutes. Add green beans and cook a final 15 minutes.

Alternately, you can add all at once and crock pot this meal on low 5-6 hours – but the veggies will not be as crisp.

Rice and Pasta with Parmesan Cheese

Tasty, Tasty, Tasty !  This beats the pants off a 300+ calorie serving of Rice a Roni.  Serve with Sauteed Spinach with Garlic and Crock Pot 20 Clove Chicken for a great complete meal under 400 calories.


Rice and Pasta with Parmesan Cheese
Rice and Pasta with Parmesan Cheese




6 servings
166 calories per serving (serving = 2/3 cup)

2 T oil
½ c vermicelli broken into very small pieces
1 c white rice
1 ¼ c hot vegetable or chicken stock or broth (Emeril’s is great !)
¼ t pepper
Salt to taste
2 bay leaves
1 t parsley flakes
2 T parmesan or romano cheese

Heat oil in a large skillet. Add vermicelli and sauté until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Add in rice, broth and water along with salt and pepper, bay leaves and parsley. Cover and simmer on medium low 20 minutes or until most of the liquid is absorbed. Turn off heat and let stand covered 5 minutes.

Remove the bay leaves. Sprinkle on the parmesan cheese and serve immediately.

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