Healthy Spinach and Potato Soup – Yes, It’s Good

Okay, I admit that spinach and potato soup probably doesn’t sound like it would be first on your list of recipes to try. That’s what I thought too when I looked at the recipe that came with our delivery of organic fruits and veggies.

Still, the recipe looked quick to pull together, low in calories, and loaded with good for you – spinach. My friend, Chris and I, decided to give it a try.

I have to admit, it was a bit on the bland side until we added basil and a garnish of shredded parm. Just those simple additions took the soup over the top. Now it’s a recipe worth trying.

Happy cooking!

Serves 4

1 bunch spinach, cleaned with stems trimmed
½ medium onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, peeled, whole
1 ½ large potatoes, diced with skin
3 cups vegetable broth
1 ½ cups non-fat milk
1 tablespoon basil, minced
4 tablespoons parmesan cheese , shredded

1. Boil potatoes and onion with vegetable broth over medium-high heat until tender.
2. Add garlic and spinach and continue to cook until spinach is tender.
3. Add milk and basil.
4. Remove from heat and allow to cool for 5 minutes.
5. Puree in blender.
6. Serve topped with parmesan cheese.

What’s good for me in this dish?

Potatoes with skin contains vitamins C, B6, copper, potassium, manganese, tryptophan, and fiber. Potatoes contain phytonutrients that have antioxidant activity, as well as flavonoids to protect against cardiovascular disease, respiratory problems and some cancers. B6 is helpful for cardiovascular and brain health, as well as sports endurance.

Spinach is another powerhouse of nutrition. Spinach contains iron for energy, and vitamins C and A, folic acid and B6 to help your heart. Spinach has 13 different flavonoid compounds that function as antioxidants, and as anti-cancer agents.

Calorie3s: 184
Total Fat: 1.63g
Cholesterol: 5mg
Sodium: 580mg
Total Carbs: 34.96g
Dietary Fiber: 2.18g
Sugars: 7.67g
Protein: 8.69g

Weight Watchers Points 3

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Nutrition details obtained from whfoods.org, nutritiondata.com, about.com, and abouthomecooking.com.

Last updated by Kristi Rimkus at January 10, 2010.

Tagged as: cooking light, healthy cooking, healthy recipes, healthy soup recipes, Light Recipes, Mother Rimmy's Cooking Light Done Right, potato soup recipes, Recipes, soup recipes, spinach soup recipes, Weight Watchers Points