Tuesday, February 2, 2016

“White Bean Soup with Swiss Chard” For "Soupy Tuesday" and Groundhog Day!

Welcome to “Soupy Tuesday!” For those of you that are new to my blog…For the next few months I will be sharing a recipe for a delicious easy soup. As the days get colder, everyone enjoys a hot bowl of soup. So this soup or any soup for that matter is like a welcoming friend. Warm and comforting…If you would like to see a special recipe for soup or have one that you want to share just email me (angellite13(at)optimum(dot)net) or post something in the comments below. I will be happy to give you a shout out. Hope this keeps you warm and cozy for the next few months…

******* I just want to thank all of you who have been sending well wishes and  prayers to my mom who is in a rehab center for her back. Her condition is getting better with her PT and OT. She is trying to regain her strength. It is very slow going and my family thank you for your continuing prayers and thoughts. Also want to let you know that I will be only posting on “Soupy Tuesday” for a while. Thank you dear family and friends.**********
 

Not only is it “Soupy Tuesday” but it is also “Groundhog Day!” Groundhog Day is always in the month of February and is held on February 2nd each and every year. Groundhog Day or Groundhog's Day is a holiday celebrated in New York and Pennsylvania as well as many other states across the USA. In weather lore, if a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day and fails to see its shadow because the weather is cloudy, winter will soon end. If the groundhog sees its shadow, it will return into its burrow, and the winter will continue for 6 more weeks.

You may be saying what is a Groundhog anyway? The groundhog (Marmota monax) is a rodent of the family Sciuridae, belonging to the group of large ground squirrels. It's also known as a woodchuck, whistle pig, or marmot. “Punxsutawney Phil,” in Pennsylvania is the world’s most famous groundhog.



The earliest known American reference to Groundhog Day can be found at the Historical Society of Berks County in Reading, Pennsylvania. The reference was made Feb. 4, 1841 in Morgantown, Berks County, Pennsylvania storekeeper James Morris' diary: "Last Tuesday, the 2nd, was Candlemas day, the day on which, according to the Germans, the Groundhog peeps out of his winter quarters and if he sees his shadow he pops back for another six weeks nap, but if the day be cloudy he remains out, as the weather is to be moderate."

So what do you think will happen today? Will the Groundhog see his shadow or not? What ever will happen, we will still have our bowl of hot soup! Join me today as I share with you a soup called “White Bean Soup with Swiss Chard” Generous measures of Swiss Chard and white beans make this soup filling enough to serve as a main course, accompanied by whole-grain bread and a salad on the side…Enjoy and stay warm….. 


White Bean Soup with Swiss Chard

Prep time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 25 minutes Servings: 6



Ingredients:
1 Tbs olive oil
1 large red onion, chopped
1 leek, white part only, halved, rinsed and sliced (see directions below)
1 garlic clove, minced
3 oz Portobello mushrooms, stems & gills removed then dice
1/2 tsp dried thyme
4 cups Chicken Stock or Vegetable Stock
3 oz Swiss chard, cut into strips 1/2 inch wide ( you can also use spinach or kale)
2 cans (15 oz each) Cannellini beans, drained & rinsed

Directions:
1. Sauté the vegetables: In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, warm the oil. Add the onion and leek and sauté until the onion is translucent, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic, mushrooms and thyme and cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquid released by the mushrooms has evaporated, about 6 minutes.

(To clean a leek quickly, trim off the dark green tops. Cut the stalk in half lengthwise, leaving the root end intact. Rinse the leek under cold running water, separating the layers to remove any embedded dirt. Prepare as directed, removing the root end.)

2. Finish the soup: Add the stock, chard and beans and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, until the chard is just tender, about 8 to 10 minutes. Serve immediately.



Wine Pairing” This pairs well with rich, medium-bodied white wine. Cin Cin!

           "Please Drink Responsibility"
 





Till Next Time………………………………...

Copyright © 2016 “Family Plus Food Equals Love” All Rights Reserved

13 comments:

  1. Ciao Dottie!
    Your tuesdays soups are always divine! I often add beans to my soups these days too (more often than I used to) as they add so much more flavour and they make soups a more filling meal. I love swiss chard, so healthy as well!
    Very nice post and don't worry if you cannot comment on my site as often. I know you are really busy with your mum and dad. All the best my dear friend xxx

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    1. Dear Alida,
      Ciao! Grazie for your comment! I am so glad that you are enjoying my "Soupy Tuesday's" I also love beans in soups or any dish. You are right it adds flavor and substance to the soup or the meal. I love all green veggies, but Swiss Chard is one of my top three. My mom used to make swiss chard many times when I was home. It is so good and good for you.
      Thanks for your understanding thoughts dear friend, about my mom...she is making progress thank God...I am so tired, hope that this ends soon and she will be coming home...Have a great rest of the week...
      Hugs Dottie :)

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  2. Really like white beans, and Swiss chard is something we always grow in our garden. So you were thinking of me when you made this soup, weren't you? :-) This is a super recipe -- thanks.

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    1. Hi John,
      Thanks for your comment...How did you know that I wrote this recipe and post just for you my friend? So glad that you liked this one..Love the fact that you grow Swiss Chard..It is so good isn't it. Enjoy..to me there is nothing like these type of soups, it always brings me back to my family and dinner time in our house when we were young..Have a wonderful week..
      Dottie :)

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  3. Sounds like a very filling soup and given the snow around here-well-I sure could use a big bowl!

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    1. Hi and welcome...thanks for your comment...So glad that you liked this post..the soup is very filling and so good for you especially with the beans. Please come back at anytime...I sure I will have more goodies for you to enjoy! Have a great rest of the week....
      Dottie :)

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  4. One of our favorite flavor combinations - makes such a satisfying winter supper - thanks for sharing it!

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    1. Hi and welcome! Thank you for your comment...It does really taste yummy and gives you that comfort feeling of home! Glad that you enjoyed! Please do come back again anytime! Have a wonderful weekend..
      Dottie :)

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  5. Dear Dottie, A perfect soup for the snow!! I love soup and a nice piece of Italian bread alongside.
    I am glad to read that your mom is doing better. It is good to hear that slowly but surely she is getting better.
    Please take care of yourself as well. It is sometimes so difficult to juggle between caring for yourself and others. Keep up your strength and stay warm. xoxo Catherine

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    1. Dear Catherine,
      Thank you for visiting I know we are both so busy and appreciate your thoughts of my mom and myself. Yes, dear friend you need that piece of Italian bread, to enjoy along with the soup. I have been really trying to juggle things, but I need a day once in awhile just to stay in bed and not do anything...It has been very difficult with my mom in the rehab and with my dad who is beside himself. Keeping warm and staying strong is my first priority because if I am not well who will be there for my parents? Thank you again...Enjoy this weekend...
      Hugs and love Dottie :)

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  6. Hi Dottie!
    Well it's great to hear your Mom is on the mend. Made my day:)

    I had read about the first groundhog report but forgot to squeeze it in one of my posts. Considering that was 175 years ago, I guess Ground-Hog Day is here to stay, lol...

    When we were kids my father use to make "scadole" escarole and bean soup all the time. I don't know how to spell it in Italian but he always called it that, lol...Your bean soup sounds much like it minus the mushrooms. Perfect for this upcoming snow I think we may actually get this time.

    Thanks for sharing, Dottie...keeping your Mom and family in our prayers:)

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    1. Dear Louise,

      Thanks for your thoughts and prayers for my mom. But another set back, now she developed C-Diff...she has to be on antibiotics for 10 days and when I got to visit her, I need to wear my gloves and a mask because of my Lupus and MS. I have been using latex gloves from day one, but not a mask..so another detour in her stay at the rehab.

      As far as the groundhog goes, I think he needs glasses to see. He said an early spring, but we are having a snow storm and another one to follow tomorrow..

      I agree Louise this soup with the beans and swiss chard or escarole is so comforting. It always brings me back to my mom at home cooking up a big pot of this warm and good soup. Yes, you can take out the mushrooms or add whatever you would like. That is what is so good about these recipes you can alter them as to your family likes.

      Be safe dear friend in the snow and say hello to Marion...have a good week...

      Hugs Dottie x :)

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