I am starting a new monthly feature for my blog this year. I’m calling it, FROM THE KITCHEN as I have decided one of the strategies I will use this year to help me eat healthier is to find a new healthy recipe each month or fix an old standby that is low in calories but high in nutrition and then share this recipe with my readers. I will also be sharing a healthy muffin recipe each month as well.
I want it known right up front that some of the recipes I share will probably come from one of the many cook books I own or perhaps from a magazine. I will give credit where credit is due for these recipes and even share where you can obtain your own copy. The muffin recipe will be one of my own that I have created or one that has been in our family for quite some time.
The first recipe I am sharing comes from my cookbook titled, Fix-It and Forget-It Lightly by Phyllis Pellman Good. This book is available on Amazon at Fix-It & Forget-It Lightly: Healthy Low-Fat Recipes for Your Slow Cooker: Phyllis Pellman Good: 9781561484324: Amazon.com: Books.
I have adjusted the recipe to fit the needs of my husband and me and for some of the ingredients I have used substitutions. I do not have a slow cooker big enough to fit all the ingredients in so I make this in a large soup pot I have. The original recipe calls for 1 pound of boneless round steak but if I don’t happen to have it available, I use 93% lean ground beef instead. I brown the meatballs before I add them to the pot. I used Thyme instead of oregano and basil. This recipe requires a large slow cooker (6-8 quarts) or in my case, a large soup pot..
VEGETABLE BEEF SOUP (Page 129 of cook book)
1 lb. boneless round steak cut into small cubes or
1 lb. lean ground beef or ground turkey formed into 1 inch meatballs
1 14.5-oz can petite diced tomatoes, undrained
1 10.5-oz can beef broth
3 cups water
2-3 medium -sized potatoes, peeled and cubed
¼ cup diced onion
1 ribs celery-diced
1 carrot-sliced
¼ tsp Thyme
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
1 8-oz can peas-undrained
1 8-oz can green beans/cut into smaller pieces-undrained
1 15-oz can mixed vegetables-undrained
- Brown meatballs or steak cubes and onion then combine the meat and all fresh ingredients, liquid and spices, in slow cooker or large soup pot.
- Cover and cook on high for 6-7 hours (or until potatoes and carrots are soft)
- Add canned vegetables
- Cover and cook on high for 2 hours
Per serving: 250 calories
I always like to pair a good bowl of homemade soup with a freshly baked muffin. This month I am featuring the recipe for Carrot Cake Muffins.
This muffin recipe is one I created from a carrot cake recipe.
Carrot Cake Muffins
Pre-heat oven to 350°
Ingredients
¾ cup King Arthur Whole Wheat Flour
¼ cup Stevia
½ tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground nutmeg
½ tsp. ground all spice
1 egg-slightly beaten
½ cup organic unsweetened applesauce
1 large carrot-grated
1 tsp. orange extract
¼ cup water
Mix all dry ingredients together in mixing bowl
Add slightly beaten egg and applesauce and mix
Add the grated carrot, extract and water
Mix until all ingredients are moist
Line a six compartment muffin tin with cupcake holders or spray with non-stick spray.
Fill evenly and place in oven for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and/or a toothpick comes out clean.
Each muffin contains about 76 calories.
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I’m going to have to try those muffins!!
I love soups, especially in winter. I’m vegan, so mine are vegetable only but hearty with lentils or TONS of veggies.
Love the hearty winter soups!
Loving all slow cooker recipes! So much easier on the weekends – helps keep us fed and the kitchen clean!
Love the idea of using meatballs in the soup! I actually have an older publication of that book… and we love some of the recipes!
Soups and stews are my favorite things to cook and eat. This looks delish!
What a great way to stick to your healthier eating plan.
Looks like a hearty winter soup! I look forward to your monthly series!
I love a good soup in the winter!
Looks like the perfect warm food for this winter weather!
Love this! We are always on the look out for new stuff to try! This sounds amazing
This sounds like a great nutritious meal!
I love that you use meatballs in your beef soup! It is something my grandmother would definitely approve of!
I never thought about pairing muffins with soup but it makes perfect sense! I usually have biscuits or cornbread 🙂
Soup is such a great meal when it’s cold outside. It’s been a pretty cold winter for everyone this year.
Sounds yummy!
I have a Fix It and Forget It Cookbook but didn’t realize there was “lightly” version. This is good to know as I’m trying to make recipes that are healthier and not so high in calories. Thanks for sharing.
I love a good tried and true (and EASY!) recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Mmmm … Lot’s of great comfort foods for winter!
This soup and muffin are perfect for this weather. Looks appetizing
Oh, this soup looks delicious–and so simple! I love the idea of serving carrot muffins too. Very unique pairing, but delicious I’m sure.
I love a good pot of soup! Today is perfect weather for it! <3
It’s definitely soup weather! The carrot cake muffins sound good too!!
I need to buy a large pot so I can try your beef soup recipe. It sounds delicious. https://tammyhorvath.com/blog/