by Macki Jan 8th, 2012 // Handmade Gifts, Swell Suppers, Uncategorized

Swell Supper: Slim Down Dinner

In keeping with my need to reduce the gut without sacrificing my taste buds I’ve come up with a complete dinner that will leave me satisfied. For tonight’s swell supper we are making Hearty Ten Vegetable Soup With Barley, Rainbow Parmesan Broccoli and Honey Nut Crunch Parfait for the sweet tooth. While the soup cooks, we are going to do some redecorating with some Origami Paper Flower Collages.

The hearty ten vegetable soup with barley needs to cook for about an hour so make sure to give yourself enough time. Prep the veggies and cook according to the recipe. When you get to the cook for 30 minutes part do some crafts with your kids. My kids have a blast making Origami Paper Flower Collages. When we are out of origami paper, my kids just color their own and make pretty designs, then we cut flowers out of their masterpieces.

When the flowers are finished it should be time to add the barley and cook for an additional 30 minutes. Take the finished origami flowers and hang them up around the dining room to add a bit of color during the cold gray winter. This should leave just enough time to cook the rainbow parmesan broccoli (if you can’t find rainbow, just use broccoli and cauliflower). Skip the butter to give it even fewer fat and calories! While it sautés on the stove, put the finishing touches in the soup.

Dinner is served! Are you wondering about dessert? The honey nut crunch parfait is so quick and easy and fun to make that it’s the perfect way for your family to make together at the table post dinner. Now doesn’t that sound swell?