P90X SOUP RECIPE: Chicken & White Bean Soup
Brrrrrr….it’s been COLD these December days. Okay, we have no room to talk over here in California…but, we still love us hot soup! Especially, if it’s P90X Soup.
Have you ever wondered what exactly are “white beans?” Here’s a little geeky rundown on them...
“White beans” is the vague name of any bean that is white-ish in color, typically labeled as navy beans, Great Northerns, or cannellini beans. Each variety has slightly different physical characteristics and taste, but similar nutrition stats. They are totally interchangeable in recipes, but the smaller the bean, the quicker it will break down and thicken your soup or stew.
Like most varieties of beans, white ones are very high in fiber (typically from 10-11 grams per serving) and protein. White beans in particular are also high in folate, potassium, calcium, iron and Vitamins B6 and C. Other health benefits include:
- Help lower cholesterol
- Regulate blood sugar
- Reduce risk of heart disease
Here’s a little food trivia you may be surprised to learn…navy beans got their name because they were one of the main foods served to our navy in the early 1900s. The European version is called the “soldier bean.”
Sorry folks…there’s not much to be done about “that” embarrassing side effect that comes from eating beans. But, word has it that rinsing the (canned) beans thoroughly or soaking the (dried) beans extra can reduce it.
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 large onion (chopped)
- 2 stalks celery (chopped)
- 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/4 teaspoon dried sage
- 32 ounces low sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup water
- 12 ounces boneless, skinless rotisserie-roasted white chicken meat (shredded)
- 1 can white beans, low sodium (if possible) (rinsed and drained)
- Place olive oil in a large stockpot over medium heat; add onion and celery and cook until onion is translucent.
- Add rosemary and sage and cook for another 30 minutes.
- Add broth, water, chicken, and white beans. Simmer for 15-20 minutes.
- Ladle into bowls and serve nice and hot.
