Soup That Nourishes the Soul

Your mother was right...chicken soup is good for you when you have a cold. It may even help prevent colds! But it has to be homemade. Soup in a can does not have the same health benefits as homemade soup. Instead of dense nutrition, canned soup is filled with salt, MSG and preservatives. Genuine, homemade chicken soup nourishes your body and your soul! Read about bone broths to learn more. 

Here's my simple recipe for Homemade Chicken Soup. What makes it so simple? All the work has been done when you make the stock!

Feel Good Soup

 3 carrots, coined

1/2 onion, small dice

2 celery stalks, chopped (even better if you have the green tops)

2 garlic cloves, pressed

1 whole nutmeg

2 cinnamon sticks

sea salt and pepper to taste (depends on how you seasoned your stock - but I generally add 1 tsp sea salt and a sprinkling of pepper if any)

1 TBSP Grapeseed Oil

1 quart chicken stock with shredded chicken (plus water for noodles)

(Add 1 or 2 cups shredded chicken if your stock didn't have any.)

Heat Grapeseed Oil in large Dutch Oven. Saute onions until they start to turn translucent. Add the garlic, carrots and celery and saute for a couple more minutes. Pour the stock, chicken, nutmeg and cinnamon sticks into the pot, bring to a slow boil, lower heat and simmer for about 15 minutes. 

If you would like to add noodles to your soup, add some water when you pour the stock in, and then add noodles when the soup comes to a boil. Cook until noodles are tender. Make sure to check the seasoning before you serve.

The Power of Black Beans

The Power of Black Beans

The darker the bean, the more antioxidant power it packs, along with with protein, fibre and folate. In a comparison of 12 kinds of beans, black beans came out on top, followed by red, brown, yellow and white. Half a cup of black beans has as many of these disease-fighting nutrients as two glasses of red wine. Just make sure to soak your beans before cooking to get rid of the phytic acid.

Wildtree has come out with a delicious, nutritious and simple Black Bean Soup that can be used in different recipes. This new product is a great way to ring in a healthy, new year!

Black Bean Soup

Serves 3

3 cups water

1 package Wildtree Vegetarian Black Bean Soup Mix

Bring the water to a boil in a medium sized saucepan. Add the Black Bean Soup Mix. Reduce heat and simmer for about 12 minutes, or until beans are tender and vegetables are hydrated. Finish with fresh lime juice if desired.

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Rice and Beans

Serves 4

½ tablespoon Wildtree Natural Grapeseed Oil

½ onion, diced

1 cup white rice

1 package Wildtree Vegetarian Black Bean Soup Mix

1 (14.5 ounce) can dice tomato, drained

3 cups water

Heat Grapeseed Oil in a large skillet over medium heat and sauté the onion until translucent. Add the rice and the Black Bean Soup Mix. Sauté for one minute longer. Add the diced tomato and water. Cover and simmer for about 18 minutes.

BLACK BEAN CHILI

Dinner in under 30 minutes?

Try Wildtree's NEW Black Bean Soup made into chili ~ just in time for winter's cold weather!

Black Bean Chili

1 tablespoon Natural GSO
1/2 bell pepper diced (any color!)
1/2 onion, diced
1 lb ground beef (grass fed organic is best!)
1 package Wildtree Black Bean Soup (spice & veg bag)
8 oz can crushed tomatoes

1 3/4 cups water
Fresh lime juice, Cilantro and grated cheese for garnish.

Saute meat, peppers and onions in the oil in a large stockpot for about 3-4 minutes to brown the beef. Add Soup mix (both bags) and sauté 1 min more. Add crushed tomatoes and water, stir to combine. Simmer 20 min. Garnish with fresh lime juice, cilantro, and cheese, and enjoy!

To order the NEW Black Bean Soup or any other Wildtree products, please visit http://www.jenwarr.mywildtree.com/. You'll find many recipes there as well.

Terrific Turkey Recipes for Leftovers

Is there anything better than a Thanksgiving Feast?

Yes!

Leftovers!

If you are like me, you enjoy your leftovers straight up. Just load up your plate with all the fixin's from the day before, heat it up and gobble it down. But for those of you who tire of the meal and want something a little different...here are some recipes to use up all those delicious leftovers. You can order any of the Wildtree ingredients at http://www.jenwarr.mywildtree.com/.

Turkey Bacon Cheddar Melts 

Serves 4

3 TBSP Wildtree Natural Grapeseed Oil

1 Onion, thinly sliced

1 1/2 TBSP mayo

1 1/2 TBSP Wildtree Whole Grain Thyme Mustard

8 slices of marble rye

4 slices of tomato

1 cup baby spinach

4 slices bacon, cooked and cut in half

4 (1/4 inch) slices of turkey breast

4 slices of cheddar cheese

In a medium skillet heat 1 TBSP of Grapeseed Oil over medium heat. Add onions and cook until caramelized, stirring once every few minutes.  Remove pan from heat.  In a small bowl combine the mayo and Thyme Mustard.  Spread about a teaspoon size of the mayo mixture on each slice of bread. 

To assemble sandwiches:  On 4 of the slices of bread lay down a slice of tomato followed by 1/4 cup of baby spinach leaves, two halves of bacon, a slice of turkey, some of the caramelized onions and slice of cheese.  Finish the sandwich with the top slice of bread.  In a large nonstick skillet heat 1 tablespoon of Grapeseed Oil over medium heat.  Add two of the sandwiches and grill until golden and crispy, about 3-4 minutes.  Repeat with remaining tablespoon of Grapeseed Oil and last two sandwiches.

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Turkey Florentine

Serves 6

2 TBSP Wildtree Roasted Garlic Grapeseed Oil

2 (6 ounce) bag baby spinach

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic

2 cups water

2 tsp Wildtree Chicken Bouillon Soup Base

1 cup heavy cream

2 tsp Wildtree Lemon Rosemary Blend

2 cups uncooked pasta

1 pound shredded turkey

8 TBSP shredded parmesan

Heat 1 tablespoon of Garlic Grapeseed Oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat.  Add spinach and cook, stirring occasionally until wilted, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer spinach to a colander set over a bowl and press with spoon to release excess liquid.  Discard liquid.  Wipe out pan and heat remaining Garlic Grapeseed Oil over medium heat.  Cook onion until soft, about 3 minutes.  Add garlic and continue cooking until fragrant, another 30 seconds.  Add the water, Chicken Bouillon, heavy cream and Lemon Rosemary Blend to the skillet, stirring to combine.  Add pasta.  Increase heat to medium high and bring sauce to a boil.  Once boiling, cover and reduce to a simmer.  Cooke until pasta is tender, about 10 minutes.  Remove cover, add turkey, and bring sauce back to a boil over medium high heat.  Continue cooking for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until sauce has thickened.  Stir 6 tablespoons of the parmesan cheese, remove from heat.  Preheat broiler.  Transfer the turkey mixture to a 9x9 baking dish.  Scatter spinach over the top and then sprinkle with the remaining parmesan.  Broil until golden brown, about 5 minutes.

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Toni's Thanksgiving Open-faced Panini

Serves 4

2 TBSP Mayonnaise

2 TBSP Wildtree Cranberry Spice Blend

2 slices Provolone cheese

1/2 pound turkey breast, sliced

1 package Wildtree Old World Style Focaccia Bread, prepared according to package directions

2 TBSP Wildtree Natural Grapeseed Oil

Mix the mayonnaise with the Cranberry Spice Blend and set aside at room temperature. Build a sandwich with the suggested ingredients. Brush the outside of the sandwich with Grapeseed Oil and saute in a pan until golden brown.

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Turkey & Barley Soup

Serves 6

1 tablespoon Wildtree Natural Grapeseed Oil

½ onion, diced

3 carrots, peeled and sliced

3 cups kale, chopped

1 (15.5 ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

1 pound shredded turkey

8 cups Wildtree Chicken Bouillon Soup Base

1 box Wildtree Hearty Turkey & Barley Stew

In a large sauce pan heat Grapeseed Oil over medium heat. Cook the onions and carrots until tender, about 4 minutes. Add the kale and cook until just wilted. Add the beans and turkey. Increase heat to medium high. Add the Chicken Bouillon, and the box Turkey & Barley Stew (the barley, vegetables, and season packet). Bring soup to a boil. Once boiling, cover and reduce to a simmer. Cook for about 30 minutes or until the barley is tender; stir occasionally. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Bacon-Roasted Cauliflower Soup

Bacon-Roasted Cauliflower Soup

 Serves 4

1 head Cauliflower

3 cloves garlic, crushed

1 medium shallot, chopped

1/4 cup Wildtree Smoky Bacon Flavor Grapeseed Oil

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

2 cups water

4 teaspoons Wildtree Chicken Bouillon Base

2 cups low-fat milk

Coat chopped cauliflower, garlic, and shallot in oil, salt, and pepper. Roast at 400 degrees F, until browned and soft. In a large pot, heat milk, water, and bouillon to a simmer; do not boil or milk will separate. Add roasted vegetables and all oil from pan. Blend with immersion blender until desired consistency. Serve hot.

New Products for January!

The January 2011 catalog is now available and has many new products!

Fill your pantry with Wildtree's delicious new ingredients to ensure you can make quick & easy meals. Place an over through me by Monday, January 10th and receive a10% discount on these new items (30% discount for Culinary Club Members).

Go to http://www.jenwarr.mywildtree.com/ and click on SHOP, then SHOP NOW next to 'New Products (10% 0ff) and Re-Orders'. Your discount will not show up immediately, but as long as you order this way, I can apply the discount before submitting the order on January 10th. Contact me if you have any questions.

Creamy Ranch Dressing & Dip Mix
Simply add mayonnaise and milk to this mix and you have instant ranch dressing! It's great on salads and as a dipping sauce. Mix into sour cream and serve as a dip. Makes 2 cups of dressing 3 times.

Cheesy Cheddar Soup Mix
This classic soup is now easier than ever. Simply add milk and water to create a rich and creamy soup or it can be used as a base for a cheesy casserole.It's perfect for a cold day or for any day! Serves 4

Sweet Onion Spread
A sweet and savory combination of balsamic vinegar, onions, and just the right amount of brown sugar. Great on sandwiches, burgers, pizza, and cheese & crackers! Savory Sofrito Cooking Base This authentic cooking base has the familiar flavors of tomato, bell peppers, onion, garlic, and cilantro. Great for making Spanish rice or to add a little extra zest to Latin American inspired dishes.

Perfect Pizza Sauce Seasoning
Making pizza has never been easier! Add this seasoning to canned tomato sauce and spread onto a So Quick & So Easy Pizza Dough for a delicious all-natural pizza. It's also great as seasoning in lasagna, meatballs, stuffed shells, and garlic bread. Makes enough sauce for over 30 pizzas!

Chicken Bouillon Soup Base
Add this chicken bouillon to water for instant chicken broth. Great as a starter for soups, sauces, and when making rice or pasta. Yields approximately 22 cups of broth.

Vegetable Bouillon Soup Base
Add this vegetable bouillon to water for instant vegetable stock. Great as a starter for soups, sauces, and when making rice and vegetable stir-fries. Yields approximately 22 cups of broth.

Beef Bouillon Soup Base
Add this beef bouillon to water for instant beef stock. Great as a starter for stews, soups and sauces. Yields approximately 22 cups of broth.

Create-A-Cookie Mix
Never fear cookies again! Our all-purpose mix can make any type of cookie from chocolate chip to oatmeal! Can't decide which kind to make? Divide the dough up into equal parts and make mini batches of all different kinds! Yields about 2 dozen cookies.

Sunday Morning Cinnamon Rolls
Making delicious breakfast has never been easier! Start your day with these warm and gooey cinnamon rolls. Just add milk, butter, and eggs and they?re ready to bake! No rising time needed! One box includes dough mix, cinnamon filling mix, and glaze mix. Yields 9 decadent cinnamon rolls!

Healthy & Hearty Lentil Soup Mix
This hearty soup is made from protein packed lentils with a blend of spices to warm your body and soul on a cold, winter's day. Serves 4.

Slow Cooker for the Freezer Series ~ Tortilla Soup

All the meals listed in this series can be made ahead and put into your freezer for another night or made the same day. It's a great way to make sure your family is eating a healthy & hearty meal during this hectic holiday season!

Tortilla Soup

 In freezer bag combine:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

2 TBSP Natural or Garlic GSO

In second freezer bag combine:

Wildtree's Tortilla Soup seasoning packet

4 Roma tomatoes, chopped

8 oz can tomato sauce

Instructions:

Defrost both bags. Quickly sear chicken on stove top on both sides—do NOT cook through. Slice chicken into 1 inch strips. Add chicken, contents of other bag and 3 1/2 cups of water to crock pot. You may also add one cup of frozen corn. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Serve with sides of sour cream, shredded monterey jack cheese and Wildtree’s Texas Cornbread (2 bags to a box).