Creamy Mexican Chayote Soup

I made this light soup one night when my husband was out of town and I wanted something simple to serve with the bean burritos my daughter and I were having for dinner. Its delicate taste is hard to describe and may not be for everyone--E. declared it "yucky," but she's 8--but I actually liked it better each time I tried it--and I wound up eating the leftovers for lunch two days in a row.

Creamy Mexican Chayote Soup
(adapted from this recipe)

2 large chayotes, peeled and sliced
2 onions, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 potato, peeled and shredded (I used a red butter potato)
3 cups fat-free vegetable stock
salt and white pepper to taste
Garnish: slices of green onion and fresh squeezes of lime.

Simmer chayote slices in 2 cups salted water in a medium saucepan until tender, about 20 minutes.

Sauté onion and garlic in a large, non-stick saucepan until the onion is soft. Add the shredded potato and stir for a minute. Pour in vegetable stock, bring to a boil, and cook over medium heat for about 15 minutes, until thickened.

Add the chayote and its cooking water to the stock, and using a hand (immersion) blender, puree the soup right in the pan. Stir and season to taste. Let simmer, uncovered, for about 5 more minutes. When ready to serve, ladle into bowls, sprinkle a few green onion slices on each and squeeze in some fresh lime.

Soup is an excellent way to start a meal, especially if you're trying to cut calories. This soup is very light, getting most of its calories from the one potato. It makes about 5 servings with 44 calories and 1 gram of fat per serving. If you'd like to make it richer, try substituting unsweetened soymilk for one of the cups of vegetable broth. And if you'd prefer a less delicately flavored soup, try sprinkling a little cumin on top.

Tags: vegan recipes vegetarian cooking food fat-free