Yesterday was a wet and dreary day in South Florida and I woke up feeling a little like I was getting the cold that everyone seems to be passing around, so I decided to make a date with my couch and DVR. Wanting to have some comfort food, I looked in the pantry and fridge and with a few simple ingredients I made a great big pot of soup that definitely comforted me for the entire day. Low in calories, high in nutrition and flavor, this is what I came up with:
SIMPLE PASTA FAGIOLI
splash of olive oil
1 yellow onion chopped
several cloves of garlic chooped
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can cannellini beans
6 cups of vegetable stock
2/3 cup (approx) of any small pasta–I used whole wheat
1 sprig of rosemary (from my newly planted herb garden)
crushed red pepper
dash of salt
After sauteeing the onions and garlic in a splash of olive oil for about 10 minutes, I added the stock, beans, tomatoes, the sprig of rosemary, a dash of salt and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes. I let them simmer for another 10 minutes or so and then turned up the heat and added the pasta, and let that cook for about 12-15 minutes. After removing the rosemary sprig I had a pot of pasta fagioli that I had several times throughout the day. It kept me comforted, nourished my body and allowed me to eat frequently without piling on the calories. We all know how many calories we can put away staying in all day.
Caught up on all the new shows I had on my DVR and by evening felt well enough to go see Neil Young, with Mitch. Interesting show. Still has the exact same, great voice. Sang about love and war.
Came home and slept like a baby. Feel so much better this morning. Off to train and then home for more soup! So chicken soup isn’t the only soup cure for a cold…or the only thing good for our sole.
Thanks to everyone for your comments and emails. Thanks to Gina Osterly who stopped in after I blogged about her recent article in Natural Muscle. Much love to all. Have a fabulous Friday.
Reader Interactions
Comments
Ritasays
Great minds think alike!! I made a huge pot of pasta fagioli this week also. It is definitely a comfort food for us. I make a lot and freeze several containers for the upcoming weeks. I use 4 cans of beans because I like the beans so much. I also add carrots and mushrooms and cherry tomatoes. It is a very forgiving recipe because I toss so many veggies in. Even Ted, who is not much of a soup eater, enjoys this meal. Add some fresh garlic bread and that is a meal!! Yum!
I hope you are feeling better. Have a great weekend.
So funny, Rita! YUM, your version sounds wonderful…I NEVER think to freeze some–you are so smart! I am feeling much better today, thanks (got your email) and all is well on my end….Hope your work week was a good one…ox
Judy Ambersonsays
Glad you are feeling better today. I will have to try yours and Ritas’ recepie. My husband and I love soup-and I make various kinds.
See you tomorrow.
Judy Ambersonsays
By the way-do you know if Ron is alright-he hasn’t been in the gym since tuesday.
Judy–When Ron wasn’t in the other day, I asked Rae and she said he wouldnt be in till some time next week…Wendie called me today with a quick question, so I asked her if he was Ok and she said yes, he was fine–nothing more….
Rita says
Great minds think alike!! I made a huge pot of pasta fagioli this week also. It is definitely a comfort food for us. I make a lot and freeze several containers for the upcoming weeks. I use 4 cans of beans because I like the beans so much. I also add carrots and mushrooms and cherry tomatoes. It is a very forgiving recipe because I toss so many veggies in. Even Ted, who is not much of a soup eater, enjoys this meal. Add some fresh garlic bread and that is a meal!! Yum!
I hope you are feeling better. Have a great weekend.
bonni says
So funny, Rita! YUM, your version sounds wonderful…I NEVER think to freeze some–you are so smart! I am feeling much better today, thanks (got your email) and all is well on my end….Hope your work week was a good one…ox
Judy Amberson says
Glad you are feeling better today. I will have to try yours and Ritas’ recepie. My husband and I love soup-and I make various kinds.
See you tomorrow.
Judy Amberson says
By the way-do you know if Ron is alright-he hasn’t been in the gym since tuesday.
bonni says
Judy–When Ron wasn’t in the other day, I asked Rae and she said he wouldnt be in till some time next week…Wendie called me today with a quick question, so I asked her if he was Ok and she said yes, he was fine–nothing more….
Vegetable Garden says
Thanks for the post. I am always looking for ways to improve my gardening and cooking skills. My family loves eating real food.