Endless At Home Soup, Salad and Breadsticks

Lightened Zuppa Toscana

Ingredients (4 servings):

• 1 lb lean Italian turkey sausage (instead of pork sausage)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 medium russet potatoes, diced (skins on for fiber)
• 2 cups chopped kale
• ½ cup 2% milk or evaporated milk (instead of heavy cream)
• Olive oil spray or 1 tsp olive oil

Instructions:

Brown turkey sausage and onion, add garlic, potatoes, and broth. Simmer until potatoes are tender, stir in kale and milk at the end.

Calories per serving (~1½ cups): ~200 calories

Italian Salad

Ingredients (4 servings):

• 4 cups romaine/iceberg blend
• 1 tomato, sliced
• ½ red onion, thinly sliced
• ½ cup black olives
• 2 pepperoncini
• ½ cup light croutons
• 2 Tbsp grated Parmesan
• ½ cup light Italian dressing (store-bought, ~25 cal per Tbsp)
  

Instructions

Place all fresh ingredients in a large salad bowl and toss with Italian dressing until evenly tossed.

Calories per serving: ~120 cal

Homemade Breadsticks

Ingredients (makes 8 breadsticks)

• 2 cups all-purpose flour (can sub half with whole wheat flour for more fiber)
• 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) instant yeast
• 1 tsp sugar
• ¾ cup warm water (about 110°F, not hot)
• 1 Tbsp olive oil1 tsp salt

Topping (light garlic butter):

• 1 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tsp olive oil
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

Activate yeast:

• In a large bowl, mix warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy.

Make the dough:

• Add flour, salt, and olive oil. Stir until a dough forms.
• Knead on a floured surface for 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic. (Or use a stand mixer with dough hook, 4 minutes.)

First rise:

• Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

Shape breadsticks:

• Punch dough down, divide into 8 equal pieces.
• Roll each piece into a rope (about 6–7 inches long) and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Second rise:

• Cover lightly with a towel and let rise again for 20–30 minutes.

Bake:

• Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
• Bake breadsticks for 12–14 minutes, until golden on top.

Brush topping:

• While warm, brush breadsticks lightly with the garlic butter mixture.
• Sprinkle with an extra pinch of garlic powder or Parmesan if you’d like.

Nutrition (per breadstick, with light topping)

Calories: ~110 cal