Green Eggs And Ham
A hearty, colorful soup inspired by Stone Soup, packed with vegetables and savory flavors, perfect for sharing with family and children for a warm, communal meal.
Ingredients
- eggs ⓘ
- diced ham ⓘ
- salt to taste ⓘ
- cooking spray or butter or margarine ⓘ
- blue food coloring ⓘ
- 1 stone (very clean) ⓘ
- 6 cups water ⓘ
- 2 cans bouillon
- 2 lbs cans tomatoes ⓘ
- 1 large onion, chopped ⓘ
- 6 medium carrots, diced ⓘ
- salt and pepper to taste ⓘ
- 3 stalks celery, chopped ⓘ
- 6 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 box frozen peas
- 1 box cut corn ⓘ
- 1 box baby limas ⓘ
Instructions
- Read the story of Stone Soup to children.
- Place the stone in a large stock pot filled with 6 cups of water.
- Add bouillon, tomatoes, chopped onion, and diced carrots to the pot.
- Cook for 10 minutes.
- Add peeled and diced potatoes, chopped celery, and diced diced ham or meat of choice.
- After 10 minutes, add frozen peas, cut corn, and baby limas, one box at a time.
- Allow the soup to boil gently between each addition of frozen vegetables.
- Cook on medium heat for 20 minutes, stirring often.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
- Serve hot and share with children; they love helping to cook this dish.
Tips & Substitutions
For a vibrant green color, add blue food coloring as desired. You can substitute diced turkey or chicken for the ham for a lighter option. If you don't have a stone, simply omit it; the soup will still be delicious. To enhance flavor, consider adding herbs like thyme or bay leaves. This recipe is inspired by American recipes and is perfect for teaching kids the joy of cooking.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the soup hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired. It pairs wonderfully with crusty bread or a simple salad for a complete meal. Kids will enjoy helping with the preparation, making it a fun family activity. For a hearty side dish, consider serving alongside Charlotte Carmean'S Party Noodle Casserole, which complements this soup well.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, gently warm the soup on the stove over medium heat, stirring occasionally. You can also use a microwave, but be sure to heat it in short intervals, stirring in between to ensure even warming.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Green Eggs And Ham contains roughly 3592 calories, with 44g protein, 436g carbohydrates, and 191g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (141% of the Daily Value), protein (87% of the Daily Value), and calcium (75% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 3000mg per serving (130% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen vegetables instead of fresh?
Yes, using frozen vegetables like peas, corn, and lima beans is a great time-saver and they cook perfectly in the soup. Just add them as instructed, ensuring to warm them through for the best texture and flavor.
How can I make this soup vegetarian?
To make the soup vegetarian, simply omit the ham and use vegetable bouillon instead of chicken. You can add more vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini for added flavor and texture.
What is the purpose of the stone in the recipe?
The stone in this recipe is a nod to the classic story of Stone Soup, symbolizing community and sharing. While it's not necessary for flavor, it adds a fun element to the cooking process, especially when involving children.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).