The winter months seem to stretch on forever this time of year, so It’s a good idea to take advantage of the season and whip up some winter soups that will warm the hearts and minds of your elderly relatives. Family caregivers and elderly care providers can make these soup recipes any time of day or night and serve up a hearty and nutritious meal that will ward off the winter chill.
Not only are soup recipes easy to make when caring for an elderly adult, family caregivers and elderly care providers can make more than they need and store or freeze the excess for another meal. Here are a couple of winter soup recipes that boost nutrition and entice even the most reluctant seniors to eat up.
White Chili Bean Soup
For some extra heat, add in just a little chopped jalapeno pepper.
2 C cooked chicken, shredded
¼ C diced onion
¼ C canned green chilis
3 cans white northern beans, drained
1 14-oz can chicken broth, low sodium
Mix chicken, onion, chilis, beans, and broth into a saucepan, then bring the mixture to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. Uncover the soup and simmer for 5 more minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve immediately. It can be stored covered tightly in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Sausage and Bean Soup
Wouldn’t this delicious soup taste nice with some slices of sourdough bread to dunk?
6 cups beef broth (low sodium)
3 Tbsp tomato sauce
1 Tbsp chopped garlic
1 can black beans, drained
2 C cooked macaroni noodles
2 C sliced kielbasa sausages
Salt to taste
Simmer beef broth, tomato sauce and garlic in a pot over medium heat. Add macaroni noodles and simmer on medium heat for 5 minutes. Add kielbasa sausage slices and simmer for 5 more minutes. Serve the soup immediately.
Pumpkin Cheese Soup
1 can pumpkin puree
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 yellow onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
5 C vegetable stock, low sodium
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp lemon juice
1/2 C grated Parmesan cheese
Heat up the olive oil in a pot, then cook the onion and garlic until softened. Add the pumpkin puree and the broth, stirring to combine. Add the sea salt for flavoring. Bring the mixture to a boil, then cover and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for 20 minutes, then stir in the parmesan cheese and lemon juice. Serve the soup immediately, garnishing with some parmesan cheese as desired.
IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE ARE CONSIDERING HIRING ELDERLY CARE IN OLD TOWN, IL, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT BRIGHTSTAR CARE CHICAGO. CALL TODAY: 312.382.8888.