Friday, February 11, 2011

Green Monster Soup and Mashed...Turnips?!

It's the end of a very, very long week. After four miserable days of being sick with....the flu?...a bad cold?....bronchitis? who knows?! I'm finally back on my feet and feeling 98% better (I still have some stomach issues and a stuffy nose). I felt pretty great by the time Wednesday rolled around, but I also felt completely behind on all of my weekly "chores". You know how that goes.....

You probably think I'm crazy because I didn't go to the doctor for a diagnosis, but I just didn't think it was necessary. I'm not one of those people who goes to the doctor unless I really think I need to. So many people said to me, "Gina, go to the doctor!", but I could feel myself getting better each day so why would I do that? I had my own doctor right in our house:

Nick + lemon lime Gatorade + oatmeal + Campbell's Select Harvest Chicken Noddle Soup + Popsicles and Fudgesicles + DayQuil and NyQuil = All Better!



And now I'm back in the kitchen! Have you ever tried parsnips or turnips? The parsnip is the long one that looks like a white carrot. The turnip is the round one that looks like a potato. Parsnips are a starchy vegetable (meaning they have about 15 grams of carbohydrate per 1/2 cup) and turnips are a non-starchy vegetable (they have about 5 grams of carbohydrate per 1/2 cup).


If you've never tried mashed turnips, you're missing out! I served this to Nick the other night and he loved it (or at least, he "liked" it). I think it helped that I sprinkled some bacon salt on top, but real bacon would have been even better, had I thought to purchase some when I was at the store.


Ingredients
(1 serving)

1.5 turnips
2 tsp margarine or butter
1/4 cup skim milk (or almond milk)


Directions
Blend everything together with a Magic Bullet or food processor (you can double or triple the recipe if you're using a food processor)

Mashed Turnips Nutrition Facts
(one serving, minus any seasoning)


Compared to mashed potatoes....



Ok, so they both scored an "A" according to this site, but the mashed turnips have significantly less calories and less carbohydrates, which is good for those who are either diabetic or watching their weight. The mashed potatoes are better in some respects, as they have more fiber, more protein, and more Vitamin C.



GREEN MONSTER SOUP!


When I was sick all I wanted was soup. I started to realize I had missed out on a lot of delicious soups this winter. The other night I just grabbed any cooked vegetables I had in the fridge and threw them in the Magic Bullet to create my own soup....

Ingredients

1 cup raw spinach
1/2 cup spaghetti squash
1 turnip
1/4 cup parsnip
1 cup low sodium broth
1 tsp olive oil


Directions

- Blend all ingredients together!

- Top with cheese and add chunks of chicken (if you want....)

This soup was surprisingly delicious. I ate it in 2.5 seconds.

Question: Have you ever tried parsnips or turnips? What about REALLY green soup?!

Have a great weekend everyone!

23 comments :

  1. I didnt even know tthe diference between them, now that i know I will definitely try to make the mashed turnip it looks so good.
    Glad u are feeling much better now. I am like you, I don't like going to doc unless it's necessary , specially for a flu or cold, a lot of sleep always did the trick.
    Have a wonderful weekend!

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  2. I love parsnips and turnips-- I love to roast them, but I'll have to try them mashed as well!

    Glad you're on the mend-- I'm the same way with the doctor!

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  3. Glad you're feeling better!

    Sadly I just got sick, and I think I might have the flu...eek. I need some of that green soup! That looks like a creamy bowl of delicious healthfulness.

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  4. Glad you are finally better! Hope you'll be 100% soon! Being sick really throws off everything...

    I have only used parsnips and turnips in a vegetable soup (a long time ago and I had almost forgotten about it...). Your puree sounds wonderful! It's going on my "list."

    Love the color of your soup!

    Have a great weekend!

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  5. Yes, I have tried all three of those things! I have never mashed the turnips or parsnips though. I do like mashed cauliflower...
    And that soup looks great- I love the green color. I bet it made you feel amazing!

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  6. I don't think I have ever had parsnips or turnips but that looks amazing!

    I have been looking for parsnips in the store and haven't found them - every time I remember to look for them, they don't have them!

    Feel better - I hate being sick!

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  7. So glad to hear you are on starting to feel better. NyQuil is great for when I'm not feeling well :)

    I've had parsnips. I mixed them up with a lot of other veggies to make a coup.

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  8. The above comment was supposed to say soup - not exactly sure how to make a coup ;)

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  9. Hm never considered mashed turnips, I'll have to give this a try. Not even sure I have ever had turnips. Glad you are almost back to 100%. I usually never go to the doctor either unless I know it is something that the doctor can do something about, however I am spoiled now with the free military health care and I am on base almost all the time any way, so it is easy to run in for a quick check up.

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  10. I like turnips, oven roasted or made into a mash wit rutabagas. Delicious.

    Green soup - have not tried but I love my green smoothies!

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  11. glad you're feeling better! being sick is no fun, especially in winter..uggh!

    your green soup looks really delicious. I love green smoothies, and even though this soup is savory, I think I'd like it, too. :)

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  12. Glad you're feeling better! <3

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  13. glad you're feeling better lady! you've got a much better looking doctor on your hands then the one you would have to pay to see haha. i never go to the doctor! i'm like everythign will eventually get better and i don't need to pay 30 bucks for someone to tell me i'm sick haha i already know i'm sick! have a great weekeeend

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  14. Glad to hear you are feeling better :) I love parsnips and turnips. I've made parsnip fries before and my mom makes mashed turnips sometimes. I love potatoes the most but it's nice to mix it up sometimes.

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  15. Hi there I just found your blog, and I'm so happy that I did!! I love reading all of your posts and I'm super excited to read more too! :) I've never tried hemp milk but I've only heard great things about it! Your smoothie sounds really good too...I'm currently loving green smoothies!

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  16. i just adore how green that is- greener than grass in the spring time <3 hehe

    xoxo

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  17. Glad to hear you're feeling better!

    I've tried parsnips and liked them, but I haven't had turnips. Recently I made mashed cauliflower and used it to make a shepherd's pie. It was tasty! I imagine mashed turnips would be similar.

    Wow that is greenest soup I've ever seen!

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  18. Glad you are feeling better! I'm like you- I avoid the doctor if I know I'm getting better.

    I've never had mashed turnips but they sound delicious!!!

    Hope you have a great weekend :)

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  19. Mashed Turnips sound delicious!! and the nutrition facts comparison to mashed potatoes is pretty significant!!! About 1/2 the calories?! wow!! sounds like something I will try soon. :)

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  20. adore parsnips, roast them for Thaksgiving every year. I have never tested turnips and did NOT know turnips were non starchy. Thanks for the tip. Digging this green soup too. Hate feeling behind but you'll catch up soon.

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  21. I'm so happy to hear you're feeling better!! Sounds like Nick took very good care of you! Yay Nick! :-)
    I love parsnips and turnips! Thank you soooo much for reminding me that it's been far too long since I had some - I'm going to pick up some this evening and fix your delicious mashed version stat! Yum! :-)

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