Swiss Chard, White Bean & Turkey Soup

Posted in Home on November 30th, 2011 by The Frugal Gourmom

This Chicago weather lately has had me craving soup. I raided my fridge and pantry and found I had all the things to make this today. It’s very easy, very tasty and very healthy. Loaded with protein, veggies and vitamins and it’s extremely low fat. Only about 100 calories per bowl and 3 g of fat per bowl!!!

Ingredients

  • 1.25 lb lean ground turkey (1 package or 1/2 package from Sam’s Club)
  • 1 leek – sliced/minced (root and light green parts only)
  • 2 stalks of celery – diced
  • 1 large carrot – diced
  • 2 cloves garlic – minced
  • 1 medium summer squash
  • 1 cup quartered button mushrooms
  • 1 bunch of Swiss chard (about 4 cups) – stems removed and leaved chopped roughly
  • 1 can of white/cannellini beans – drained
  • 1 rind from a wedge of Parmigiano-Reggiano (optional, but delicious if you have one laying around)
  • kosher salt/fresh black pepper
  • 2 quarts/containers of chicken stock/broth (I usually have homemade, but not this time.)
  1. Get a large stockpot on medium high heat. Spray with a little non-stick spray and add in the leeks, celery and carrots. Season with a little salt and pepper. Let that cook about 5 minutes until the leeks start to get translucent.
  2. Add in the ground turkey and minced garlic. Mix well and break up the turkey. Season with salt and pepper. Once the meat is cooked though (about 5-10 minutes), drain any fat that has come out.
  3. Add in the squash and mushrooms and mix well. Cook another minute or so.
  4. Now add in the Swiss chard.  Stir well making sure it’s starting to wilt.
  5. Now add the beans and parm rind. Stir well.
  6. Then cover the pot of deliciousness with chicken stock. Cover and bring to a simmer. Let it simmer away for at least 30 minutes. Taste test it and add salt and pepper as needed.  
  7. Remove the cheese rind and….   Voila! Easy, quick, healthful and very satisfying.

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Pumpkin & Banana Dog Biscuits

Posted in Home on April 1st, 2011 by The Frugal Gourmom

Tomorrow is my dog’s 5th birthday, so I thought I’d make him something special. I had some pumpkin puree in the freezer from last fall (you can use unsweetened canned pumpkin or even squash puree) so I put it to use! These smell so good, you’ll want to eat one yourself…and you can since they are all natural and made with wholesome everyday ingredients.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup pumpkin puree (or canned unsweetened pumpkin or butternut squash puree)
  • 1 ripe banana
  • 1 1/2 cups of whole wheat flour
  • 1 cup oats

Mash your banana so it’s smooth – combine with the pumpkin puree.

Add the whole wheat flour and mix well.

Lastly, add in the oats and combine.

The dough will be sticky. I made cookie sized rounds with my hands.

If you prefer to be more cutesy, you can add more flour so  it forms a stiffer dough, roll it out and cut into cute shapes…but these aren’t a gift and my dog isn’t picky, so he gets the ghetto hand-formed cookies :)

Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes. Let cool completely. If your doggy prefers crunchier treats, let them sit out overnight.

Store in a ziplock bag. They won’t last long, so no need for refrigeration or freezing.

You’ll be tempted to eat one…and you can! Not too bad – yes, I sampled along with my 3 year old.  Your pup will love them.   I know mine does!

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