Recipe: Bacon Cheddar Potato Soup

So, this one isn't necessarily a super healthy soup, but it is a whole food recipe - much better than the sodium-laden processed soups you get at the grocery store or at restaurants. This recipe sure is heart-warming and absolutely delicious - great for a crisp fall day! In trying to make it healthier, this recipe does take a traditionally heavy soup by substituting regular bacon with turkey bacon, only using 1/3 cup of low fat cheddar cheese, and using skim milk (instead of whole milk or cream), Despite these changes, it still yields a thick, wonderfully creamy soup. I have found that potato soups are hit or miss with me, but I LOVE potatoes (definitely one of my downfalls) and this one is an absolute hit!

As always, I certainly invite you to try this recipe in your own blenders or other machines -- just follow the directions as your instructional manual suggests.

Bacon Cheddar Potato Soup
(Official Vita-Mix Recipe - revised)
2 cups skim milk
3 medium Yukon gold potatoes, baked
1/3 cup shredded, low-fat cheddar cheese
1/4 small onion, sliced, sautéed, or 1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. dried rosemary
1/2 tsp. salt
3 ounces turkey bacon, cooked, crumbled (about 3 strips)
Chives for garnish

1. Place milk, two potatoes, cheese, onion, rosemary and salt into the Vita-mix container in the order listed and secure lid.
2. Select Variable 1.
3. Turn machine on and quickly increase speed to Variable 10, then to High.
4. Blend for 4 minutes or until heavy steam escapes from the vented lid.
5. Reduce speed to Variable 3.
6. Remove the lid plug. Drop in remaining potato and 2 strips of bacon. Blend for an additional 10 seconds, until chopped.
7. Serve soup alone or in a bread bowl. Garnish with chives and remaining bacon.

Recipe: Chicken Rissoles

This recipe is one I haven't made in awhile, but came across when browsing my recipe list. I really loved this easy and very healthy version of chicken rissoles, and am thinking I need to make them again soon!

Chicken Rissoles
Yield: 4 Rissoles
10 oz. ground chicken
1 egg white
1/4 cup of finely chopped onion
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
1 tsp. dried basil
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/4 c of oat flour (can be made by grinding oatmeal in blender, food processor or coffee grinder)
Olive oil

Mix the ground chicken, egg, onion and herbs well with a spoon or your hands. Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions. Roll into shape for a rissole (I usually just make patties). Lightly coat each rissole in the oat flour. Cook in a pre-heated non-stick skillet, sprayed or coated lightly with olive oil, for 10-15 minutes on each side.

Recipe: Easy Tortilla Soup

In my first blog post, I mentioned the tortilla soup that we tasted during the Vita-Mix presentation. Well, I never got the exact recipe from the presenter, so I decided to create my own. Please note that there is some cheese in this recipe; you may omit if necessary, as I have made it both ways and it is delicious either way.

As always, I certainly invite you to try this recipe in your own blenders or other machines -- just follow the directions as your instructional manual suggests.

Easy Tortilla Soup
(Vita-Mix Recipe)
2 cups of hot water
1 tomato
1 slender carrot
1/2 stalk celery
1 thick slice yellow onion
1/4 medium red bell pepper
1/4 - 1/2 Anaheim chili pepper, to taste
1/2 small potato, baked (optional; makes for a creamier soup)
1 clove garlic
1/3 c. shredded Cheddar-Jack cheese (or your favorite)
1 tablespoon Knorr's® tomato/chicken bouillon (or use vegetarian boullion, if desired)
5 shakes of Spike® seasoning
6 shakes of Mexican seasoning
Few sprigs of cilantro (to taste)
6 oz. black beans, drained
Handful of Mission® Tortilla strips

1. Place all ingredients except tortilla strips and black beans on High speed until steaming hot. 
2. Switch to Variable 2 and add black beans and tortilla strips. Blend until chopped.

Dustin and I love this, and it's a quick and healthy soup that we enjoy frequently! We sometimes make it healthier by omitting the cheese and the potato, and we go easy on the tortilla chips. Trust me, a little can go a long way with this recipe.