Whether you are looking for a zone-friendly appetizer or a main course, soup is versatile and a great choice for either. The Zone recipes for soup run the gamut of being broth-based to the more creamy textured concoctions. The following recipes will add to your Zone recipes collection for soups. They are sure to satisfy your appetite and keep you on course with the Zone Diet guidelines.
Zone Soup Recipes
Hearty Minestrone Soup
Ingredients
- 8 ounces beef, diced into bite-size cubes
- 2 1/2 cups celery, diced
- 1 cup onion, diced
- 2 cups cabbage, finely shredded
- 1/2 cup tomato puree
- 1/4 cup black beans
- 1/8 cup chickpeas
- 1/4 cup elbow macaroni
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 cups beef stock
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Directions
- In a large saucepan, combine all ingredients, except the macaroni. Bring to a boil over high heat.
- Reduce heat; simmer for about 30 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
- Cook macaroni as directed on package.
- Add cooked macaroni to soup and simmer for an additional 5 minutes before serving.
Servings and Zone Information
Makes 2 servings.Per serving: 4 blocks of protein, 4 blocks of carbohydrate, 4 blocks of fat
Chicken Ball Soup
Ingredients
- 12 ounces ground chicken
- 1/2 cup onion, diced
- 1 small onion, sliced into rings
- 2 cups leeks, sliced
- 5 cups mushrooms, sliced
- 8 teaspoons cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- Hot sauce, to taste
- 1 teaspoon parsley
- 1 tablespoon ginger root, grated
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Directions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray large baking sheet with cooking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine chicken, diced onion, hot sauce, parsley and ginger root. Blend thoroughly, and form into ½" balls.
- Place balls on a prepared baking dish and bake for 15 minutes.
- Place chicken broth in saucepan and bring to boil. Add onion rings, leeks and mushrooms. Reduce heat to medium; simmer until vegetables are tender.
- Mix cornstarch with a small amount of water until a paste consistency forms. Add to broth; simmer for 5 minutes, stirring constantly until thickened.
- Remove meatballs from oven and add to the broth. Cook for 2 minutes longer and serve.
Servings and Zone Information
Makes 2 servings. Per Serving: 4 blocks of protein, 4 blocks of carbohydrate, 4 blocks of fat
Recipe Substitutions
The Zone Diet is a low carbohydrate diet, but this does not mean you cannot add carbohydrates, such as noodles, rice or a moderate proportion of potato or other starchy vegetable to your Zone soup recipes. Try to use complex carbohydrates, such as whole-wheat pasta in your Zone recipes. One of the most essential guidelines in the Zone Diet is to keep in mind the 1:1 ratio of carbohydrates to protein while preparing any Zone Diet recipe. As long as you adhere to the 1:1 ratio, you can substitute any of the soup recipe ingredients with any number of your own favorites. Zone Diet recipes, including soup recipes, are not complicated, and you will be cooking in the Zone in no time at all.
