Anyone who tells a lie has not a pure heart, and cannot make a good soup. - Ludwig van Beethoven

Slowing down is difficult for me. Unfortunately, mindless speed eating is one of the worst activities a calorie counter can engage in. Taking the time to enjoy a more leisurely dinner will keep you from feeling over-stuffed and uncomfortable by giving your greedy stomach a few more minutes to send the news to your brain that it is full.

Slow down your meal by serving a cup of soup first. Soups loaded with veggies or beans and legumes are your best choices. If it is hot where you live, try a cold veggie soup. One of my favorite summer soups is from our good friend Claire. Serve her cool and easy Gazpacho (Recipe of the Week below) as a starter for one of these excellent calorie counted main dishes.

• Soup and sandwiches pair so well. I love Buggy’s Pulled Pork Sandwich after a bowl of minestrone. 
• Marydomingue’s Stuffed Peppers with Mushrooms are delightful no matter what kind of soup you serve first. 
• Gazpacho is the perfect prelude to Peace in Greece Pasta.
• Or try Tara’s Turkey Mini-Meatloaf from Diets in Review after a bowl of Potato Carrot Soup. 

Recipe of the Week:

Claire’s Classic (and Delicious!) Gazpacho

Ingredients:

(Makes 4 servings)

2 cups tomatoes, peeled, seeded chopped

1 cup cucumber, peeled, seeded, chopped

1 cup green peppers, seeded, chopped

1/4 cup onion, red, chopped

2 cloves garlic

2 cups tomato juice

1/4 cup vinegar, red wine

1/4 cup fresh parsley

1peppers, jalapeno (optional)

Directions:

Place half the vegetables and all the garlic & parsley in a blender or food processor*, with the tomato juice & vinegar, and puree.

Add the rest of the chopped vegetables and pulse to finely chop.

If a thicker soup is desired, add some cubes of crusty bread before pureeing.

Chill before serving.

*No food processor? No problem! Put the ingredients in a large pot and blend with an immersion blender.

For easy cookery on a work night make your soup on the weekend. Freeze or store in the refrigerator in perfectly proportioned serving sizes. Not a gazpacho fan? Try some of these cool summer soups!

Your thoughts…

Do you eat less when you add soup to a meal? Do you enjoy cold soups in the summer? What is your favorite cold soup? What soup really takes the edge off your appetite? Share your recipe with everyone here! If you would like to submit your recipe to CC Palate for consideration as the Recipe of the Week, send the complete recipe to me via pm.