January is National Soup Month, and I think we could all use some twists on classic soup recipes with better-for-you alternatives that bring more flavor, nutrition and comfort!

I had the chance to chat with the folks at Living Dayton today and share some of my favorite soup recipes. But first…

What are some fun soup facts that may surprise you?

  • National Soup Month is about celebrating a warm bowl of deliciousness during the coldest time of year. A hearty bowl of soup is one of the ultimate comfort foods when it’s chilly outside!
  • Soup has been traced back as far as 20,000 B.C. Animal hides and watertight baskets of bark or reeds were used for bowls, and they used hot rocks to boil water.
  • The most popular soup variety in the U.S. is chicken noodle. (This one didn’t surprise me).
  • Women are twice as likely as men to order soup for lunch.
  • Today, Americans eat more than 10 billion bowls of soup each year!

let’s get to the recipes!

FRENCH ONION SOUP

prep time: 10 minutes
cook time: 1 hour
total: 1 hour 10 minutes
serves 4-6

Ingredients:

  • 6-8 cups of Chicken Broth OR 2 servings of LonoLife Chicken Bone Broth with 3 ¾ cups of water
  • 5 large yellow, sweet and can use red onions too
  • 1.5 sticks of butter
  • 2 tablespoons fresh garlic
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp ground pepper
  • 1 loaf French bread
  • Muenster or Gruyere Cheese
  • Parsley to taste

Directions:

1. Cut onions into strips and add to a large stock pot.

2. Sauté onions in butter for 10 minutes on medium to low heat until soft.

3. Add in fresh chopped garlic, sea salt, sugar, pepper and bring to a boil

4. Optional: Prepare the bone broth by adding 2 servings of chicken broth to hot water.

5. Add Chicken Broth OR LonoLife bone broth to stock pot and simmer for 1 hour.

6. Ladle soup in oven safe bowl, top with toasted French Bread and a generous amount of cheese. Let it broil for 1 to 2 minutes.

7. Top with parsley and enjoy!

IMMUNE SUPPORTING SOUP

prep time: 5 minutes
cook time: 30 minutes
total: 35 minutes
Serves 4

Ingredients:

  • 1 yellow onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups LonoLife Beef Bone Broth
  • 2 stalks celery, chopped
  • 2 baby Bok choy, chopped
  • 1 daikon radish, sliced
  • ¼ cup kale
  • ¼ cup spinach
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper

Directions:

1. In a large pot add olive oil, onion, celery, and garlic. Cook on medium heat until the onion is translucent.

2. Add bone broth and the rest of the ingredients to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for about 30 minutes.

3. Enjoy!

KIMCHI BEEF NOODLE SOUP

prep time: 10 minutes
cook time: 35  minutes
total time: 45 minutes
serves 4-6

Ingredients:

  • 1 package shirataki noodles
  • 1 cup kimchi
  • 1 cup seasoned and cooked ground beef
  • 1 serving Beef Bone Broth
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 fried egg
  • Optional: Furikake seasoning and green onions for garnish

Directions:

1. Prep shirataki noodles as instructed.

2. In a pan sauté kimchi and noodles together.

3. Add ground beef and stir.

4. Add Beef Bone Broth and one cup of water and stir until well combined.

5. In a separate pan, fry an egg and you’re done!

What is your favorite kind of soup?

*a note about LonoLife: LonoLife’s powdered bone broth can be used to a 1:1 ratio to traditional stock. High in Protein and Vitamin A (good for your immune system).