Mung Bean and Spinach Soup (Mongo)

You can't help but crave for hearty soups in the fall and winter seasons. This recipe is actually a classic Filipino soup made with mung beans. Mung beans are small, lentil-like split beans.

Mung beans are commonly used in Chinese cuisine, where they are called l? dòu (??, literally "green bean"), as well as in Burma, Thailand, Japan, Korea, Philippines, Pakistan, India, and Southeast Asia. In Vietnam, they are called ??u xanh (again, literally "green bean"). They are generally eaten either whole (with or without skins) or as bean sprouts, or used to make the dessert "green bean soup". The starch of mung beans is also extracted from them to make jellies and "transparent/cellophane" noodles. Many people make the common mistake of thinking that the transparent wrapping of Vietnamese spring rolls is made from mung bean flour. However, it is actually made of rice flour, tapioca starch, water, and salt. In Filipino cuisine, meat is sauteed with garlic, onions, and bay leaves, then mung beans are added and cooked. Mung batter is used to make crepes named pesarattu in Andhra Pradesh, India. (WIKIPEDIA)

This soup is definitely hearty, delicious, easy and fantastic over fluffy Jasmine rice.

READ THE FULL RECIPE

Food Company Review: Jewel-Osco and Wild Harvest chicken tortilla soup recipe

As more and more consumers are becoming aware and conscious of the food products they are eating and feeding their families, food companies are responding to the demand by providing people with more natural and organic choices in supermarket shelves and restaurant menus.

The wild harvest® brand of organic and natural foods from JEWEL-OSCO addresses consumers’ growing preference for organic and natural products, as well as their demands for value, selection and convenience. The wild harvest brand includes many products across numerous grocery categories, including dairy, eggs, fresh produce, meats and dry grocery items such as pasta and sauces, cookies, crackers and cereal.

Wild Harvest® is one of Jewel-Osco's private brands. Consumers used to think of private brands as the "generic" store brands. However in today's economy, people are finding that purchasing private brands vs the "designer" brands are more cost effective and in reality have the same high standards of the leading brands. Brand managers work closely with consumer focus groups and food scientists to create brand experiences that continually over-deliver on consumers’ expectations for quality and value, leading them to seek out JEWEL-OSCO stores for its Private Brand products.

For more information on Wild Harvest® Organic, visit www.wildharvestorganic.com

CLICK HERE FOR THE WILD HARVEST CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP RECIPE

For the Kiddos - Chicken & Alphabet Soup

Spring in Chicago has been gloomy, wet and chilly lately and I was in the mood for some comforting, homemade soup. As I was cruising down the grocery store isles with my list of things and ingredients to buy for the week, I was also trying to find inspiration, specifically in the pasta section. Pasta is just one of those comfort foods that so many people go to, especially on chilly and gloomy days. As I was scanning all the different types of pastas, I came across alphabet pasta. Right then and there I had an OMG moment!

Why haven't I thought of this before? Almost everyone I know has great memories of eating alphabet soup as a child. I remember being so mesmerized by all the letters floating around in the broth. I don't even remember the last time I have eaten alphabet soup, and more importantly I don't ever recall my kids ever eating alphabet pasta. I don't even think they know it exists! I had to buy it and make them a great chicken noodle soup using this pasta. Even better is my toddler, Sofia, who's learning her letters is going to be so excited to eat her letters!

This soup is so incredibly simple to make, you'll be wondering why you'd ever buy the canned stuff ever again!

Chicken & Alphabet Soup

2 cups of alphabet pasta

4 cups of chicken broth

2 bay leaves

3 stalks of celery - diced

1 carrot - diced

1 small onion - diced

1.5 cups of shredded chicken

1 TBL of canola oil

salt & pepper

Heat a large pot with canola oil and saute the onions, celery and carrots just until they start to sweat and release their flavor. Pour the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Add 2 tsp of salt and 1/2 a tsp of pepper. Add the pasta and cook for about 5 minutes. Add the cooked shredded chicken and heat through for about 3 minutes and serve.

TIP: This soup is great using left over rotisserie chicken!