*Lightened up* Spinach Bisque...

jessmomof3

OK, the original recipe calls for a stick of butter, real half and half, full fat cream cheese, a jar of Cheez Whiz, and tons of cheddar. This is my *lighter* version. It's still rich and creamy but with a LOT less fat and calories!!


Spinach Bisque

Ingredients:

Spinach, frozen, 4 package (10-12 oz)

Fat free half and half, 64 fl oz (1 quart)

Pacific Natural Foods Organic Low Sodium Chicken Broth, 2 cups

Campbell's Cream of Chicken Soup (98% fat free), 2 cans

Philadelphia Light cream cheese, 2 (8oz) packages, softened

Philadelphia Fat Free Cream Cheese, 1 (8oz) package, softened

Salso con Queso, 1 jar (I used Newman's Own organic brand)

Cabot Vermont 50% Light Cheddar Cheese, 8 oz (shredded)

Pepper, salt free chicken seasoning (Mrs. Dash), garlic, onion powder, paprika (I don't measure, I just add!)

Additional cheddar & parmesan cheese to your liking



1. Add frozen spinach to large pot w/ about 1/2 of the half and half. Cook spinach until thawed on medium heat.

2. Take about half of the spinach out and add to a blender w/ a little more of the half and half and blend.

3. Add the cream cheese to the blender to make a creamy sauce. Add to the spinach on the stove.

4. Add the rest of the half & half and cook until bubbly, stirring often.

5. Add cream of chicken soup and chicken broth. Stir well.

6. Then add in the jar of cheddar con queso and shredded cheese. Stir well.

7. Cook on low for at least 30 minutes until thickened. (I usually let it simmer at least an hour or so, or you can put it in a slow cooker on low for a couple hours.)

8. Top w/ additional sharp cheddar and parmesan cheese.

(also, this time I used 1 package of broccoli cuts in place of 1 of the packages of spinach and a can of pureed northern beans to add more fiber- my family didn't notice!)


Spinach Bisque

16 Servings (About 1 1/2 cups per serving)

Amount Per Serving (figured using http://www.sparkrecipes.com- it is listed under Jess Homemade Spinach Bisque)

Calories 234.2

Total Fat 9.4 g
Saturated Fat 4.9 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1 g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.5 g
Cholesterol 32.3 mg
Sodium 1,106.4 mg (high in sodium even w/ the lower sodium chicken broth!)
Potassium 412.7 mg

Total Carbohydrate 24.3 g
Dietary Fiber 2.3 g
Sugars 8.2 g
Protein 14.6 g

Vitamin A 97.7 %
Vitamin B-12 10.5 %
Vitamin B-6 7.7 %
Vitamin C 12.7 %
Vitamin D 0.0 %
Vitamin E 0.0 %
Calcium 42.1 %
Copper 4.8 %
Folate 16.1 %
Iron 5.1 %
Magnesium 14.3 %
Manganese 26.0 %
Niacin 1.9 %
Pantothenic Acid 6.0 %
Phosphorus 20.9 %
Riboflavin 22.3 %
Selenium 6.3 %
Thiamin 6.7 %
Zinc 9.1 %

jessmomof3

:bigsmile: It's even better the 2nd day. :drinker: