Single Serving Soup
One of my favorite things to make/eat during the fall and winter is soup. Unfortunately Nick doesn't like soup, so I usually have to eat it for lunch. Something I really like to do is just buy some chicken broth and add cooked veggies, whatever meat I have laying around, some type of bread or bean for carbohydrate, and melted cheese. Normally I buy low sodium, but the last purchase I made was NOT low sodium.
Check out that sodium. I mean, seriously, 24% of my daily value in one cup of this chicken broth!
When I make dumb mistakes like that, I just add about 1/2 cup of the broth and then add 1/2 cup tap water instead of 1 full cup of broth. For this particular soup (below) I added 1 cup cooked vegetables, 2 ounces lean ground turkey, garlic, pepper, a bit of cayenne and a slice (1 ounce) of light Havarti cheese.
Check out that sodium. I mean, seriously, 24% of my daily value in one cup of this chicken broth!
When I make dumb mistakes like that, I just add about 1/2 cup of the broth and then add 1/2 cup tap water instead of 1 full cup of broth. For this particular soup (below) I added 1 cup cooked vegetables, 2 ounces lean ground turkey, garlic, pepper, a bit of cayenne and a slice (1 ounce) of light Havarti cheese.
On a cold fall day this is the perfect lunch. I thought about adding croutons or beans, but I had a handful of granola on the side instead.
Something I've been meaning to do for a while is try these salmon patties. I got the idea from Shannon of "Lessons to Learn". After heating up this beauty for about 2 minutes, a added a slice of light Havarti cheese and zapped it for another minute, then added the salsa. I didn't even use a bun on this sucker and it was an excellent combination! Not to mention that this was a healthy meal, with a hefty dose of Omega-3.
Gina and Nick's FIRST Spaghetti Squash!
I finally bought one.
After taking about 10 minutes to cut it in half (yeah, I know, pathetic), I turned the squash upside down and cooked at 375 degrees for 40 minutes.
This was the result. It was perfect, I did not add a thing. Just use a fork and scrape it out. It's fun!
Nutrition Facts for Spaghetti Squash (1 cup)
42 calories
2.5 grams fiber
1 gram protein
28 mg sodium
9% vitamin C/3% vitamin A/iron/calcium
Nutrition Facts for Spaghetti Noodles (1 cup)
221 calories
2.5 g fiber
8 grams protein
1 mg sodium
0% vitamin C/0% vitamin A/10% iron/1% calcium
Bottom Line: There are nutrition benefits in both, but if you want to add sauce, butter, meat, or whatever to your spaghetti, spaghetti squash is a better choice so you can eat all that without too many calories! Also, when was the last time you saw someone only eat 1 cup of spaghetti? At least with the squash you can eat more than one cup and it's still ok!
Which one is mine?
a)
Orb)?
Answer: Mine is "a", it's basically the same thing, only slightly smaller portions, and no avocado (Approximations; 3/4 cup squash, 2 ounces lean ground beef, 1/2 cup cooked mushroom and red pepper, 1/4 cup roasted garlic pasta sauce. Those red peppers are huge. I was lazy when I was cutting them, but they were really good.Question: What's your favorite way to eat spaghetti squash? If you aren't a fan, what's your favorite way to eat regular spaghetti?
Giveaway Alert: Emily of "The Health Nut" is giving away a 10 dollar gift card for some granola from "Mix My Granola!" Check it out.
I'm off to the gym, then the library, the my parent's house for my mom's birthday celebration! Thanks for reading!
Giveaway Alert: Emily of "The Health Nut" is giving away a 10 dollar gift card for some granola from "Mix My Granola!" Check it out.
I'm off to the gym, then the library, the my parent's house for my mom's birthday celebration! Thanks for reading!
35 comments:
It always takes me FOREVER to cut spaghetti squash, too!
I just discovered spaghetti squash a few days ago. I made mine with zucchini and tomato - yum! It is amazing!
oh I made it yesterday with masala powder and cilantro very good, make you own sauce heat olive oil, add fresh garlic and onion, Italian herbs and fresh tomato and reduce down
takes about 10-25 min and no salt LOL
Rebecca
LOVE spaghetti squash.. the key is to let it cool before trying scoop it out. I actually roast my whole, as well.. it's easier to cut when it's softer. :) Glad you enjoyed it.
I have in my head that I don't like spaghetti squash, but I've never made it myself! It might be time to give it a try...
I only like spaghetti noodles topped with this one restaurant's marinara sauce- the restaurant sells it by the jar and it is AMAZING! The owner cans on Tuesdays and he's always out by Friday...kinda a pain to get there during the week but totally worth it!!
i haven't had spaguetti squash for a long time... seeing it here makes me want some! I'll definitely buy some this weekend! :) favorite way to eat it? with tomato sauce and TJ's turkey meatball! Yummy~~~
Spaghetti squash is a pain to cut, but when I make the effort I like to mix it with cherry tomato, plain greek yogurt, and a crumpled up veggie burger. YUM!
Have a great day!
It always takes me forever to cut spaghetti squash! I always get the knife stuck and spend at least 5 minutes trying to get it out without cutting a finger off!
My favorite way to eat it is topped with sauce, a little bit of cheese and some kind of meat. Lately I've been stuffing it with sliced turkey sausage which is pretty good!
that looks delicious!!! i love spaghetti squash & the way you made yours looks mouth-watering.
I love spaghetti Squash - this is one of my favorite recipes... http://www.molliekatzen.com/recipes/recipe.php?recipe=squash_pancakes
I never tried spaghetti squash but the more I see it on the blogs the more I want it lol
I'll have to remember to watch out for all that sodium in tomato sauce and soups! Yuck! I've never made spaghetti squash but I am dying to after seeing it on everyone's blogs!!
I so love me some spaghetti squash!
Favorite way to eat it is to make it like a baked pasta dish. I put the spaghetti squash on the bottom (already roasted and scraped) then dump homemade meat pasta sauce on top and put shredded mozzarella on top. Then I bake it until the cheese is all melted, bubbly, and slightly browned.
Oh and I hear you on the sodium thing in store bought pasta sauce. Hence the reason I make my pasta sauce on my own by using no sodium added tomato sauce and spicing it myself. I do that with a ton of things that are full of salt, including making my own stocks, broths, and soups from scratch. Probably not a solution for everyone but I love cooking so it works for me.
I have not tried spaghetti squash because I really can't stand squash. However, my Dad (who also does not like squash) says that it's quite good and the texture is very different from regular squash so I may give it a go one of these days.
As for spaghetti (or any other kind of pasta) - love it. If I'm having a tomato & meat sauce I always make homemade; that's what I grew up eating and as far as I'm concerned that's how it should be done. I always use extra lean ground beef and throw lots of veggies in my sauce (bell peppers, celery, carrots, zucchini). I will often make a quick sauce with shrimp though. It's easy to thaw a bag of frozen shrimp and then come up with a sauce based on whatever I happen to have in the house. Chicken works too, just takes a little longer than shrimp. Pasta is so versatile!
I looooove Spaghetti Squash--I just recently discovered it!
I like to make it just like real spaghetti--a yummy tomato sauce with mushrooms and capers!
I love spaghetti squash..... but I don't think it's ANYTHING like spaghetti. I eat it plane. I tried it once with pasta sauce but I wasn't a fan..... plain is awesome though!!!
As for the soup.... I do the SAME THING!!! I made a great veggie soup with white beans and red pepper flakes. It's awesome!!! Happy Tuesday!
-A
Spaghetti squash is my fave of all squash because it is fun. Ryan had never had one and I decided to make one and he really thought it was neat. Plus it was the first time I ever really cooked and had dinner waiting for him. I prepare mine with marinated baked tofu (usually thai curry or something like that) and broccoli. The first time I ever did this was undergrad in cooking class for my nutriton degree. It was so much fun. I am glad your turned out well. Thankfully I have spotted these in the commissary.
1st time to try spaghetti squash?! I LOVE it! :D
Its unfortunate, but so far, I hate spaghetti squash. Odd, because other than that I have yet to meet a squash I don't like. But for the past two years, I see it smiling at me in the store around squash season, so I figure I'll give it another go, and I dislike it to the point where I just will not eat it. Sad. I'll probably try it again this year though, especially since I know my Nick likes it and he'll eat anything I don't.
I love your idea about making single serving soup! Also, thanks for making me aware of sodium. I don't eat too many packaged foods, but when I do, I am lazy about checking that nutritional fact.
I have had limited experience with spaghetti squash, but I had it simple with some tomato sauce, basil, and lots of pepper.
Have a great day!
I could never cut into spaghetti squash, so I just poke it with a fork and nuke it - I have roasted it when my husband was home to hack the raw one open, and really didn't taste much different.
I LOVE making quinoa spaghetti squash lasagna! In fact, I am making it again tonight for my lunch tomorrow and will post the recipe tomorrow too.
I love soup too - all year round!
MMMM spaghetti squash has been on my to-make list for AGES. So long, in fact, that it has gone out of season and come back into season since! Doh! Must make it happen this year. :)
I have never made spaghetti squash; it's one of those things I always mean to make but somehow it never happens. I think I'll but it on next week's meal plan now!
Great reminder about sodium in processed foods! And yes, it's everywhere and a certain brand or store does not automatically mean it's healthy or low sodium... While I'm pretty good about checking ingredients, etc., it's easy to end up with too much sodium (especially when you have two items with added sodium in one meal). I like your idea of diluting the broth. I do that a lot...
I didn't get a chance to comment on your post yesterday but I completely agree. I often feel like a holiday scrooge myself :s. I couldn't have said it better!!! I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels that way.
Great reminder about sodium ... it's crazy how much sodium is in things once you start paying attention!
I like spaghetti squash for a change...usually tossed with Smart Balance Light and Parmesan cheese, or crumbled goat cheese. It's also really good with fresh pesto and pine nuts. The pine nuts add some fun texture and it's much more satisfying for me.
Great post, looks yummy!
Thanks for the shout out! I love salsa on just about anything. But especially on salmon. Ohhh! Also on butternut squash.
I made a spaghetti squash today too. I am planning to eat it tomorrow with marinara sauce and lots of veggies. I like to eat it just like spaghetti. It has been a lifesaver since giving up gluten!
I did the same thing with soup today. I hate how high the sodium content is in so many soups...even the low sodium ones! So tonight I dumped 3 cups of soup in the crock pot and 3 cups of water. Just as good...I get more out of it, and I don't need to drink a gallon of water afterwards!
I was getting so cocky because I thought my sauce from Whole Foods was SO much healthier- turns out it has 470 mg of sodium...BOO haha. But it is fat free and low in calories. Luckily I really do have one serving AND I don't get a ton of sodium normally- but still, why do they have to have THAT much? grr
Oooh I haven't bought squash yet this year - thanks for the great idea! :)
i had some speghetti squash tonight and yes it took me 10 minutes to cut mine as well! I am so happy I am not hte only one! I even had to get my dads help!! the knife got stuck haha...I love it plain! it has its own natural sweetness that you just cant beat!
great point out on that pasta sauce, everything from whole foods is certianly not ALL healthy!!
yeah, you really do have to keep an eye on hidden sodium...it's in all sorts of things in crazy amounts (like that mustard i ate the other day!).
i also LOOVE spaghetti squash. :-) glad you guys enjoyed it, too. i recently made it with parmesan and carrots.
http://healthnut-em.blogspot.com/2009/10/zukes-tea-obsession-and-kimberly-snyder.html
thanks for the giveaway shout-out.
Thanks for the well wishes Gina! I'm sure there are a lot tastier and healthier recipes than a BLT, ha!
I eat spaghetti squash the same way you do - with tomato sauce and veggies. I'd love to melt some cheese on top of it but I'm trying to not use cheese as a main sauce these days, in attempts to watch fat and calories.
My mom always served spaghettie squash simply with a little margaring salt and pepper. So, I guess that's why I like mine with some Earth Balance and S and P :)
I just bought my first spaghetti squash this week! I cannot wait to try it. I'm glad you did it first, though! HA!
And, on the subject of soup...I am amazed at the sodium levels in boxed/canned soups, too. Even the low sodium soups seem to have upwards of 400mgs. Love your tip on mixing in water. That'll work like a charm. Thanks!
Hooray for your spaghetti squash!!! It looks soooo yummy!! I love those glorious red peppers on the side, too...
Oh my yes, squashes are soooo hard to cut! I actually use a giant, sharp meat cleaver to slice spaghetti squash - yep, I meat cleaver! :-p It's the only thing I use the cleaver for! :-)
I love spaghetti squash with sauteed onions and feta cheese... :-)
If spaghetti squash didn't exist I am not sure how I would survive! I eat spaghetti squash EVERY night at dinner (no exaggeration there). I love putting it on a baking pan... putting a piece of fatty salmon on top and broiling. The salmon fat & flavor makes the spaghetti squash insanely delicious, which is why I eat it nightly!
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