Low-calorie Green Ham Soup Recipe

Below is my own version of spinach (or verde) soup made more flavorful with ham, while remaining low calorie.  Do not let the title fool you, the ham is not green.  Since the spinach turns the broth from yellow to pale green, I call it green ham soup.


Green Ham Soup Recipe

Ingredients:
9 or 10 oz. package of frozen chopped spinach
4 cups chicken (or beef) broth
3 medium (or 6 small) potatoes, peeled and cut into small cubes
4 thick slices of ham, cut into small slivers
2 teaspoons paprika

Steps:

1. Cut potatoes and ham
2. Place broth, spinach, and potatoes in pot and cook over medium heat until spinach thaws and separates.
3. After pot begins to boil,  and add ham and paprika.  Cook for 15 minutes more or until potatoes are tender.
4. Allow to cool a little before serving warm.

This low-calorie green ham soup recipe soup makes approximately 4 servings of less than 300 calories each.

Tips:

• If desired, a teaspoon of Parmesan cheese may be sprinkled on top of each serving for added flavor.  This adds 10 more calories per serving.
• Alternatively, soup can be made creamy-tasting by stirring in 2 wedges of Laughing Cow soft cheese before serving,  This adds at least 8 more calories per serving.
• If this is TOO spinachy tasting, consider sawing the frozen block of spinach in half and saving half for another pot of soup later.  Reducing the spinach should cut about 8-10 calories out of each serving.
• Leftover soup may be refrigerated for a future meal.  However, do not freeze portions as potatoes will turn to mush during thawing/reheating.