Two Day Magazine

A little something for everyone...

With the cold winter months upon us, most of us just want to enjoy something warm, comforting and satisfying. And sometimes, a heavy meal can make may sound nice in theory, but in actuality, “comfort food” doesn’t have to leave you feeling overstuffed.

Instead, why not try a delicious, nutritious, satisfying soup? Here are two soup recipes to try (one for the meat-lovers and one for the veggie-lovers) that are guaranteed to hold you over until your sweetie gets home to really warm you up!

Chicken and Corn Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 (2 to 3 pound) whole chicken, skin removed and cut into pieces

• 1 onion, chopped

• 1 carrot, peeled and sliced

• 1 stalk celery, chopped

• 6 black peppercorns

• 1 bay leaf

• salt and pepper to taste

• 1 quart water, or as needed

• 1 (8 ounce) can creamed corn

Directions:

• In a large saucepan or wok over medium heat, combine chicken, onion, carrot, celery, peppercorns, bay leaf, salt, pepper and water.

• Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes.

• Strain stock and reserve chicken.

• Return strained stock to pot and stir in creamed corn.

• Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes.

• Shred cooked chicken meat and stir into pot.

Heat and serve!

Apple and Sweet Potato Soup

Ingredients:

• 2 (1 pound) sweet potatoes, quartered

• 1 large tart apple, peeled and cored

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 onion, chopped

• 2 stalks celery, chopped

• 1 large carrot, chopped

• 1 bay leaf

• 5 cups vegetable broth

• 1 cup cream (optional)

• 1 (5 ounce) lemon, zested and juiced

• salt and pepper to taste

• 1 cup crumbled goat cheese or feta cheese (optional)

Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Place the sweet potatoes and apple on a greased baking sheet, and roast for about 40 minutes in the preheated oven, or until tender. Cool, and peel sweet potatoes.
  
  *****If you have the need for speed, microwave apple and sweet potatoes for 10-mins. Be sure to poke holes in the potato using a fork.
  
  *****Or if you have a Vitamix or Healthmaster blender, just mix all the ingredients together and blend. This will change your cooking time to 8-10 minutes!
  

• Heat olive oil in a soup pot over medium heat.

• Add the onion, celery, bay leaf, and carrot; sauté until tender.

• Remove the bay leaf, and discard.

• Pour in broth, and add the sweet potato and apple.

• Return to the soup pot, and stir in the cream (optional), lemon zest, and lemon juice.

• Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.

• Heat through, but do not boil.

• Ladle into serving bowls, and garnish with crumbled cheese if desired.

Enjoy!

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twoday magazine wants to know: What is your go-to comfort food? Share your favorite “feel good” foods on our Facebook page.