Monday, October 5, 2009

Eat Naked Segment......Chicken Broth


I haven't had an "Eat Naked" segment for a while but this is one that should be called to attention. I was making soup tonight, after all, it is a chilly 80 degrees here now so it is time! Can't wait. I made some delicious White Bean Chili soup, vegetarian style with Northern beans, potatoes and Quinoa and thought about what effort we go into making a good, healthy soup for our families. We chop up fresh veggies, cut up potatoes, add beans, delicious ,healthy spices and then the blunder occurs: the broth. How many of us are putting poisons unknowingly into our soup in which the very intent was to provide nutrition and satisfaction? Do you know what is in your broth?

Maybe you are already a step ahead of the norm but just in case you haven't checked into the ingredients on the broth canisters, let's take a look see:

Exhibit 1: Knorr Chicken Bouillon

Ingredients: Salt, sugar, corn starch, monosodium glutamate (MSG), Beef fat, hydrolyzed corn protein, dried chicken meat, maltodextrin, autolyzed yeast extract, chicken fat, silicon dioxide, dehydrated parsely, disodium inosinate, citric acid, onion powder, natural flavor, colors yellow 5 , annato, yellow 6.

Exhibit 2: Pacific Naturals Free Range Chicken Broth

Ingredients: Organic Chicken Broth, Organic Chicken Flavor, Natural Chicken Flavor, Organic Evaporated Cane Juice, Organic Onion Powder, Turmeric, Organic Flavor.

Do you see what I mean? Fresh veggies, healthy spices and a container or msg OR fresh veggies, healthy spices and organic chicken broth. You decide. We went with the real deal. It was delicious. You can get a pack of the "real deal" at Costco. It has a good shelf life. It isn't too costly but the cost of not using it is high. Either make it yourself or try this variety out. Out with the MSG brand. BLuckkk!

Want to try my soup? Here ya go.

Creamy White Chili

1 medium onion, chopped

3-4 red potatoes, peels on, cut into small cubes

3/4 C. chopped celery

2 cloves garlic

2 T. olive oil

2 15 oz cans great northern beans, rinsed and drained

appx. 28 oz chicken broth or as much as needed

2 4 oz cans diced green chiles

1 t. salt or more as desired

1/4 to 1/2 cup White Quinoa

1/4 t. cumin

1/2 t. pepper

1/8 t. cayenne pepper

1 C. sour cream

1/2 C. whipping cream

In a large sauce pan, saute chicken, potatoes, celery, onion and garlic for a couple minutes. Add broth, beans, chiles, quinoa and seasonings. Bring to a boil and then reduce to low and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes or until potatoes are tender.Remove from heat and stir in sour cream and whipping cream. Add more salt as needed and thicken with ultra gel.

***I did mine in my pressure cooker to reduce time. After I sauteed the veggies, I added the broth and quinoa and pressure cooked on second ring for about 1 minute. Used quick release and added the beans, chiles and seasonings. I simmered until potatoes were just right and then added the cream and sour cream.

ps, I have no idea why my font is messed up. Sorry.


9 comments:

Kara said...

I would like to know what exactly is "organic chicken flavor", "natural chicken flavor" and "organic flavor"?? Those are very mysterious ingredients to me.

Becky said...

What do you think of the powdered Chicken-less broth at Shar's?? Everything in it seems fine, except for Autolyzed Yeast Extract. Is that another name for MSG?

Shari Goodman said...

I totally agree that whenever they use "flavor" it can be a hidden source of all sorts of things. At least in this brand, they do put in parentheses what some of the flavor is like Natural chicken flavor they list in parantheses (chicken stock, salt). I checked with the company and they certify that their natural flavors are extractions from organic plants only never synthetically made and never containing any form of MSG. What the problem is with most companies when they list natural flavors is that it may have once been natural but it is then synthetically manufactured. I hope I can trust this company but of course, it is always best to make it yourself. I have not tried Shar's brand but yes, Autolyzed yeast extract is a form of MSG. Also, I guess I have to change the soupe title; even though there is no chicken in it, using the broth I guess I can't quite call it vegetarian! Close enough for me.

Anonymous said...

Our family loves this recipe! I have made it about 5 times since I have gotten your cookbook!

Kara said...

You could cal it vegetarian-ish :) I have a recipe on my blog for homemade, it is super simple once you get it down and cost only pennies since you are just using left over chicken bones and a few cheap vegetables.

I love your eat naked segments because it highlights things items people don't even think of when trying to eat healthful.

Cindy Thomas said...

Thanks for the Costco lead... I sometimes just run thru that warehouse missing GREAT things like this. I had been purchasing the McCormick Chicken Base at Costco. (It doesn't seem as nasty as Knorr.) Anyway... thanks!

RPH said...

Thanks for the recipe! I am just going to pick up some cream from the store and this is going on the menu! It is only 9am, but the temperature is 26, that calls for soup!! Thanks again!

And I love all your info on the flu shot. Everyone around here is paranoid about not getting one. There is some serious panic happening. Guess thats what the drug companies want.

Ember said...

Shari I too am ready to make Soup but my old favorites call for Cream of Chicken Soup! So many of my warm dishes through winter call for Cream of Chicken Soup. What can I sub for it? I refuse to use it now because of MSG.
What would you replace it with?

Shari Goodman said...

There are recipes online to make your owe soup mix but I suggest just trying new recipes of your favorite dishes that call for real ingredients, not cans. YOu will find that it tastes even better. Ie, enchiladas and tortilla soup. If you need a specific recipe, email me. I would be happy to help.