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The Secret Life of a Five-Bean Entrée

All HMR entrees lead a secret life, and the Five-Bean entrée is no exception. Here’s the secret: they also make great soups.

 

It’s true. Add a little water (or fat-free broth), some seasonings, and (if you are on Healthy Solutions® or in Phase 2) a couple of cups of vegetables, and you have soup.

Here’s why this is a big deal:

 

  1. The key to losing weight and keeping it off, is to stay full on the lowest calorie foods available. Soups are perfect for this. To read more, see the blog Soup: The Weight Loss Secret That Comes in a Bowl.
  2. Soups are simple to make. Add a can of fat-free broth or water, some seasonings and voila! you have soup. Adding vegetables (including canned vegetables) adds volume and nutrition for just a few more calories.
  3. Making entrees into soup adds variety. It's a whole new way to get your entrees in. The more ways you know how to do something, the more likely you will be able to do it – even in challenging situations.
     
     

5-Bean Soup
 

5-Bean Soup


1 HMR Five-Bean entree
½ cup yellow onion, chopped
½ cup red bell pepper, finely chopped
½ cup green bell pepper, finely chopped
½ cup diced tomatoes, canned
½ tsp. ground cumin
2 cups fat-free chicken broth, or water
Salt, to taste
2 tbsp. roughly chopped fresh cilantro and/or green onions

Place the onions and bell peppers in a sauce pan with the broth or water. Simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, cumin, entrée, and optional salt. Heat until warm.

Put in a serving bowl and garnish with fresh cilantro and/or green onions.

3 vegetable servings
300 calories
 

Click here to rate, review, or print this recipe.


 

 

 

by KeithVanGasken on 01/17/2012 | Share Story With a Friend

tags: Weight-Loss, HMR, Recipes, Diet Tools, in the box, strategies

About the Author

Keith Van Gasken

Keith Van Gasken began obesity treatment in a clinic setting in 1982, and has been with HMR since 1992. Roles have included health educator & mentor, as well as program and product development, with a special affinity for product & recipe development. He has maintained a 100-lb. weight loss since 1982.

Comments (3) Post a comment
I love soup and eat it every day for lunch, I can't wait to try this recipe. I usually eat my 5 bean cassarole entree with a small baked sweet potatoe cut into cubes.
by Camille on 01/19/2012
Hope you enjoy it
by KeithVanGasken on 01/18/2012
This looks absolutely delicous. Thank you for solving my dinner dilemma tonight!
by lejohnso87 on 01/18/2012