My 5 Favorite Cold Weather Soups and Stews

There is just something soothing and homey about soups, stews, and chowders. I love to have a pot of something simmering on the stove on a cold winter day. There is something almost healing about them. Comforting....

Not to mention the fact that there are so many that are healthy, easy to fix, and need little clean up. Add a grilled cheese sandwich, some crusty bread, or just some saltine crackers and even the most picky eaters are sure to be happy.

So here are my fav 5! In no particular order. ♥

Black-Eyed Pea and Sausage Stew.

Black-Eyed Peas are a tradition here in the south on New Year's Eve Day. But believe me this stew is delicious anytime. Its made with corn and tomatoes so its a healthy meal. I like to add cornbread to round it out.

Black-Eyed Peas are nutrient-rich. Just 1 cup delivers 20 percent of the daily value of magnesium, calcium and iron, and that's just the beginning of the nutrition they provide. Black-Eyed Peas, or cowpeas, have 160 calories in one cup and 5 grams of protein. They are also a good source of soluble fiber, folate, manganese, and Vitamin A.

Chili Like Wendy's

Seems like nothing warms a body up like homemade chili! And this one is a real winner! Top off a bowl of hot chili with grated cheddar or a dollop of sour cream, yummy. And it's healthy...pinto beans and red kidney beans are very good for you. Both are good sources of soluble fiber, Pintos have a whopping 15 grams per cup. This fiber lowers cholesterol and helps control blood sugar levels. They are also a great source of molybdenum, a good source of folate, and a good source of protein, vitamin B1, and vitamin B6 as well as the minerals copper, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, manganese, and potassium,




photo property of simplyrecipes.com

Corn Chowder. 

I found this one at simplyrecipes.com. I love corn chowder. Besides corn, this one is made with red bell pepper, onion, carrots, and potatoes. If your craving something thick and creamy this one is for you.



Hatteras Style Clam Chowder.

I'm from the coast so how could I not include clam chowder? I've never actually used a recipe but this one from allrecipes.com is pretty close to how I make it. Clam Chowder for us begins with harvesting or digging up the clams with clam rakes. It's a lot of work but totally worth it. Then the clams are opened and chopped before making the chowder. Hatteras is an island north of us and part of the outer banks of North Carolina. It is the home of Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and some mighty good restaurants.  The writer of this recipe says this is the recipe he used when he used to work in one of those restaurants.

So are there any health benefits from eating clams? Because of their Vitamin B12 content it is thought they may help prevent Alzheimer's Disease. Their iron content guards against anemia, the selenium fights arthritis, and protein enhances immune system function.  They also contain manganese, vitamin C, copper, riboflavin, zinc, and potassium.




Slow Cooker Comfort Pot Soup  

An easy vegetable soup made with frozen veggies and ground beef. Let it cook in the slow cooker for an easy and healthy meal. Its also very versatile. Ground turkey can be used instead of ground beef and you can customize the vegetables to suit your taste.


Hope you pick one of these to try. As always I welcome your thoughts and comments.



Supporting dietary information was obtained from the following sites.

http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/health-benefits-blackeyed-peas-4253.html

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=89#healthbenefits
http://health.wikinut.com/10-Health-Benefits-of-Clams/1i0ditz8/