01/07/16 - 1:30 -- Syndicated food columnist Linda Gassenheimer, Special wine correspondent Fred Tasker and WLRN hosts Joseph Cooper and Bonnie Berman interview Biltmore Hotel, Executive Chef David Hackett and Vice President of Marketing and Sales Philippe Parodi. The Biltmore hotel is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. Mr. Parodi talks about the hotel’s history and Chef Hackett discusses the evolution of food options.
Country Sausage and Mushroom Soup with Garlic Crostini
Start the New Year with the welcoming smell of homemade soup that won’t break your calorie bank. Most people think that for a soup to be good it has to cook for hours. This would be difficult for a midweek dinner when you come home late and are in a hurry. But, I love soup suppers and decided to create this tomato based, mushroom and sausage soup that takes only 20 minutes to make. The Italians like to toast slices of leftover bread with some olive oil. The tasty result is crostini or “little toasts,” They make a great side dish for this dinner.
Fred Tasker’s wine suggestion: Hearty fare calls for hearty wine. I’d say syrah.
COUNTRY MUSHROOM AND SAUSAGE SOUP
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 pound sliced mushrooms
3/4 pound low-fat turkey sausage, sliced
2 1/4 cups no-sugar-added, low-sodium pasta sauce
3 cups fat-free, low-sodium chicken broth
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and sausage and sauté 2 minutes. Add the pasta sauce and broth. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, cover and simmer 15 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Makes 2 servings.
GARLIC CROSTINI
2 slices multi grain, country bread
Olive oil spray
1 garlic clove cut in half
Spray bread with olive oil spray and rub cut half of garlic on the sprayed side of the bread. Toast in toaster oven or under broiler until golden, about 1 minute and serve with soup. Makes 2 servings.
Nutrition Information
COUNTRY MUSHROOM AND SAUSAGE SOUP:Per serving: 531 calories (32 percent from fat), 18.8 g fat (4.0 g saturated, 5.6 g monounsaturated), 132 mg cholesterol, 50.8 g protein, 33.2 g carbohydrates, 7.5 g fiber, 1333 mg sodium. GARLIC CROSTINI:Per serving: 82 calories (24 percent from fat), 2.2 g fat (0.3 g saturated, 0.9 g monounsaturated), no cholesterol, 3.6 g protein, 12.1 g carbohydrates, 2.0 g fiber, 101 mg sodium.
Shopping List
To buy: 3/4 pound low-fat turkey sausage, 1 small package sliced mushrooms, 1 bottle no-sugar-added, low-sodium pasta sauce and 1 loaf multi grain country bread.
Staples: olive oil, olive oil spray, fat-free, low-sodium chicken broth, garlic, salt and black peppercorns.
Helpful Hints
- Any type of pasta or marinara sauce can be used. Read the labels carefully and buy one that has no added sugar and is low in sodium.
- Any leftover bread can be used for the crostini.
Countdown:
- Start soup.
- While soup cooks, prepare crostini.
Copyright © Linda Gassenheimer
Linda Gassenheimer is the author of 20 books including her newest, The Flavors of the Florida Keys and Fast and Flavorful: Great Diabetes Meals from Market to Table. Follow Linda on Twitter: @LGassenheimer, Facebook: Linda Gassenheimer
