Cabbage and Tofu Soup

Note: Makes 4 servings. Total Carbohydrates: 30. Delicious If you like a Chinese flavor, add the sesame oil. For a Southeast Asian flair, and my favorite, garnish with the cilantro, green onions, chilies and a squeeze of lime. Taking a trick from Vietnamese beef noodle soup, the boiling soup can be poured over extremely thinly sliced raw beef. The heat of the soup will cook it through.

Ingredients:
7 cups chicken stock
3/4 lb. daikon radish, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
4 1/4-inch slices fresh ginger
sea salt
1/2 lb. Chinese cabbage, cored and coarsely chopped
1/2 lb. soft tofu, sliced
chopped cilantro, green onions, chilies and fresh lime wedges if desired
a few drops of sesame oil, if desired

In a large pot, bring the chicken stock, daikon and ginger to a boil. Season lightly with salt. Turn down to a simmer and cook for 20-30 minutes until the daikon is tender. Add the cabbage, return to a boil and cook for 5 minutes. Add the tofu and heat through. Adjust the seasoning and serve.

Pisano Egg Drop and Parmesan Cheese Soup

Note: Serves 4 Total Carbohydrates: 2 . So each serving is less than a gram of carbs.You can add cooked chicken cut into bite-sized pieces to this soup if you want something a bit more hearty. This is very good with a thin slice of lemon floating on top.

Ingredients:
4 cups chicken stock or broth
Salt and pepper
2 eggs
4 Tbsp. freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 tsp. chopped fresh parsley

Heat the stock or broth to a boil over high heat. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Beat the eggs with the Parmesan and parsley and season with a bit of salt and pepper. Slow stir the egg mixture into the soup and stir constantly for 2-3 minutes until the eggs float to the top and form tiny “flakes”. Serve Immediately, or let it cool a bit. Either way it's very tasty.

Sausage and Cabbage Soup

Note: serves 6, Total Carbohydrates: 64 (instead of daikon radish. You can use zucchini if you prefer.)
To make this soup you can use potatoes or zucchini.

Ingredients:
1 small cabbage, ( or ¾ of a large one), cored and shredded
4 Tbsp. unsalted butter
1/2 lb. pork sausages, your choice, though spicy Italian or chorizo are great
6 cups chicken or beef stock, or water
salt and pepper
1 lb. daikon radish, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice
1 cup sour cream

Bring a large pot of water to the boil. Add the cabbage. When the water returns to a boil, cook the cabbage for 1 minute and drain. Return the cabbage to the pot along with the butter, stock or water and sausages. Bring to a boil then reduce the heat to a low simmer. Cover and cook for I hour. Add the daikon and cook for 30 minutes longer. Remove the sausages and cut into bite sized pieces. Return to the soup, which by this point will be very thick. Pass the sour cream separately.