Healthy Gluten-Free Minestrone Soup: A Wholesome Comfort Food
As the weather cools down, there’s nothing quite like a warm bowl of soup to comfort the soul. This Healthy Gluten-Free Minestrone Soup is not only delicious but also packed with wholesome ingredients that nourish your body. Featuring fresh vegetables and high-quality ham, it’s a meal that the whole family will love. We recommend using Niman Ranch ham for its superior flavor and ethical sourcing.
Why Choose Niman Ranch Ham?
When it comes to choosing ham, quality matters. Niman Ranch ham is renowned for its:
- Sustainable Practices: Niman Ranch works with family farms that prioritize humane and sustainable farming practices, ensuring that the animals are raised in a healthy environment.
- No Antibiotics or Hormones: Their products are free from antibiotics and hormones, making it a healthier choice for your family.
- Rich Flavor: Niman Ranch ham is known for its rich, smoky flavor, which elevates any dish it graces.
The Wholesome Ingredients
This minestrone soup is brimming with healthy ingredients that not only taste great but also offer numerous health benefits:
- Fresh Vegetables: Packed with vitamins and minerals, vegetables like zucchini, green beans, and cabbage provide essential nutrients and fiber.
- Garlic and Onion: These aromatic ingredients not only add flavor but also have immune-boosting properties.
- Organic Chicken Stock: Choosing organic stock ensures that your soup is free from additives and preservatives, adding to the overall healthiness of the dish.
- Tomatoes: Fire-roasted tomatoes bring antioxidants to the table, particularly lycopene, which is beneficial for heart health.
- Garbanzo Beans: Adding a can of garbanzo beans boosts the protein and fiber content, making this soup even more satisfying!
Recipe: Healthy Gluten-Free Minestrone Soup
Total Time: 1 hour
Serves: 4-6
Ingredients:
8 oz Niman Ranch ham steak, diced into bite-sized pieces
1 medium onion, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
2 large carrots, peeled and diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium zucchini, diced
2 cups green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
2 cups green cabbage, diced into 1-inch pieces
2 tbsp olive oil
6 cups organic chicken stock
1 (14 oz) can diced fire-roasted tomatoes
1 (14 oz) can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
2 sprigs fresh thyme
1 tsp salt
Pepper to taste
Directions:
1. Prep the Ingredients: Dice the ham steak and set aside. Prepare the onion, celery, carrots, garlic, zucchini, green beans, and cabbage.
2. Brown the Ham: Heat a large Dutch oven or pot over medium heat and add 1 tbsp of olive oil. Add the diced ham and cook for about 5 minutes until browned. Remove the ham from the pot and place it in a bowl. Set aside.
3. Sauté the Vegetables: In the same pot, add another tbsp of olive oil. Sauté the onion, celery, and carrots for about 8 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and sauté for an additional minute.
4. Combine the Ingredients: Add the zucchini, green beans, cabbage, chicken stock, diced tomatoes, garbanzo beans, thyme, salt, and pepper to the pot. Increase the heat and bring the soup to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer for 10 minutes, until the vegetables are just tender.
5. Finish the Soup: Stir the reserved ham back into the pot and mix well. Ladle the soup into bowls and serve hot.
Conclusion
This Healthy Gluten-Free Minestrone Soup is a delicious way to incorporate fresh, nutritious ingredients into your meals. By choosing high-quality products like Niman Ranch ham, you’re not only enhancing the flavor but also supporting sustainable and ethical farming practices. Enjoy this comforting soup any night of the week, and watch as it quickly becomes a family favorite!
Happy cooking!
