8 Soups to Fill You Up Without Weighing You Down

These days we're looking for something hearty to fill us up and warm us at the end of a long day that ends deep into the dark. What we want is something simple and satisfying, a nice warm soup that can be made ahead of time and reheated. One that heats us up but doesn't add pounds or guilt:

• Turkey Kale Soup from Alice Waters, this soup is back to basics, good food that's good for you. Plus who doesn't like kale?

• Spicy Parsnip Soup combines winter vegetables with coriander, cumin, turmeric and chili powder. It's creamy and delicious plus it doesn't actually use any cream.

• Light, Healthy Tortilla Soup from One Healthy Mama.

• Fridge Clearing Lentil Soup from Sara Kate. We've made this one a dozen times and it's always better the next day. We almost never have bacon in the house so we skip it and it's still hearty, rich and satisfying.

• Leek and Lemon Soup: Take advantage of all the winter citrus and add them to some leaks (which are great for detoxing from sugar and white flour) for a simple soup with punch.

• Green Minestrone has a nice helping of greens with swiss chard and spinach. We'd probably choose either the macaroni or the potatoes but probably not both, if we're keeping things light!

• Indian Spiced Carrot Soup with Ginger from Epicurious

• Eat Light: Things I Find in the Refrigerator Soup: We love a good clean out of the fridge and when we can make it into a soup and eat healthy all in one then it's a win win win situation, that's why this soup is our favorite!

(Images: Elizabeth Passarella, Faith Hopler, Sara Kate Gillingham-Ryan, Jane Spice, Blake Royer/Serious Eats)

I had some pork posole for lunch today. Not sure how it rates on the healthy scale but for a cold, January day-it hit the spot.

posted by rosebud on January 8th 2010 at 3:36pm
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This bourbon-y tomato bacon soup is just right for January chills. http://www.clovesandcream.com/2009/10/tomato-bacon-soup-with-gouda-chive.html

posted by cloves and cream on January 8th 2010 at 3:48pm
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Soup is my absolute favorite! Here's an idea for a curried pumpkin soup: http://appetiteforconversation.blogspot.com/2009/11/different-take-on-pumpkin.html. And here's a colorful vegetarian chili: http://appetiteforconversation.blogspot.com/2009/11/smokin-hot.html. Wish I had a bowl of soup right now!

posted by appetiteforconversation on January 8th 2010 at 4:41pm
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This is one of my favorites to make in the winter:
http://thenakedbeet.com/?p=618

posted by edava72 on January 8th 2010 at 5:46pm
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Is there anything in particular about leeks that makes them good for detoxing from sugar and white flour?

posted by emsiemilia on January 8th 2010 at 7:01pm
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white chili. yum!!!

http://whocarescooks.blogspot.com/2008/08/creamy-white-chili.html

posted by stealthmama on January 9th 2010 at 6:49am
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Please, please, can we all stop with the idea that eating is somehow a shameful activity for which we should feel "guilty"? I'm very tired of this.

If this site and bloggers can't be positive about enjoying food, why bother? I don't need a calorie nanny, food cop, or kill-joy to add to the rest of the noise.

posted by FantasticMrFaux on January 9th 2010 at 4:04pm
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Thank you FantasticMrFaux.

posted by BetterBombshell on January 11th 2010 at 11:27am
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I completely disagree. I enjoy food just as much as I enjoy living a healthy lifestyle. I think its great to see recipes that are tasty but recognize that some of us prefer low fat or low cal diets. I don't find this a depressing kill-joy - just a way of life.

posted by ashbadger on January 11th 2010 at 1:12pm
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I like the looks of that minestrone. I might try tossing that into a slow cooker to simmer all day while I'm at work.

I also disagree about the kitchn encouraging "food guilt." There is nothing wrong with pointing out that recipes are both yummy and healthy. I don't hear anyone saying "eat cardboard to lose weight" merely "this is healthy and tasty." Besides have you not noticed the 1000 cookie/pastry recipes?

http://single-girl-gourmet.blogspot.com

posted by Lacey8685 on January 14th 2010 at 9:38pm
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I make sweet potato soup that is wonderful. You can make it sweet or savory. It is a good base to have fun with and explore different combinations.

posted by taherold on January 19th 2010 at 9:24am
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Made a lovely soup tonight - curried lentils with diced sweet potato & spinach. Light base of coconut milk, chicken stock and water. Main spices: coriander, tumeric, cumin, saffron, cayenne, cilantro. Simmer onion in your fat of choice. Add spices in seeds. Add liquids and lentils. When lentils are soft, puree. Add cubed sweet potato. At the very end add spinach & cilantro, salt/fish sauce, black pepper, lemon juice to taste. Fragrant, warming, healthy, delicious.

posted by juliaonhamilton on February 6th 2010 at 11:07pm
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