| (ARA) - The holidays have long been viewed, | | | | These quick and delicious recipes are wonderful |
| from a food perspective, as a time of excess. An | | | | for guests or for an evening when you want to |
| extra helping of stuffing for Thanksgiving, a few | | | | eat healthy but are pressed for time. |
| cookies at the office party, an extra glass of | | | | CREAMY TOMATO PASTA SAUCE WITH BASIL |
| champagne to ring in the New Year, and most | | | | - 1 onion, chopped coarsely |
| people just give up on their good intentions to eat | | | | - 3 to 4 cloves garlic, minced |
| healthy foods. After all, healthy foods and | | | | - 3 to 4 tablespoons olive oil |
| celebrations seem like mixing oil and water, right? | | | | - 1 pound tomatoes, diced or a 16-ounce can, |
| Wrong. Americans are increasingly demanding | | | | drained |
| healthy, organic foods. In fact, one industry | | | | - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) |
| source says organic food sales in the United | | | | - 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar |
| States reached $7.8 billion last year. This has | | | | - 3 cups Imagine Natural Creamy Tomato Soup |
| translated into more products that are readily | | | | - 5 tablespoons fresh chopped basil |
| available to bridge the perceived gap between | | | | - 3 to 4 tablespoons parmesan cheese (optional) |
| what's good and what's good for you. | | | | - salt and pepper to taste |
| Organic soups and broths provide a great base | | | | Saute onions and garlic with a little salt over |
| for recipes that are fancy enough for holiday | | | | medium heat to soften. Add tomatoes and cook |
| entertaining, or quick and easy enough to allow | | | | over high heat to wilt the tomatoes. Add |
| you to eat healthfully and still dash out to do that | | | | remaining ingredients and heat until bubbling. Taste |
| last-minute shopping. Imagine Natural Organic | | | | and adjust seasoning. Serve over hot pasta and |
| Broths and Soups provide convenience, fresh | | | | garnish with grated parmesan and fresh basil |
| taste and all the benefits you expect from natural | | | | leaves. |
| foods: they are kosher and contain no dairy | | | | Makes 3 1/2 to 4 cups of sauce, enough for 8 to |
| products, no preservatives, no MSG and no | | | | 12 ounces of dry pasta. |
| genetically-modified ingredients. | | | | HOLIDAY WILD RICE SOUP |
| "The world is too busy a place, especially at | | | | This soup is naturally low in calories and fat so it's |
| holiday time, so we take the same care in making | | | | the perfect starter to a healthy, hearty meal, or |
| these soups as people would if they started from | | | | a delicious stand-alone light lunch. The bright |
| scratch in their own kitchens," says Robert | | | | colored vegetables and nutty wild rice taste |
| Nissenbaum, president and company founder. | | | | evoke a wonderful holiday feeling. |
| "They're 100 percent natural, certified organic, | | | | - 1 quart Imagine Natural Organic Free Range |
| heat and serve, and are made with fresh | | | | Chicken Broth |
| vegetables, organic herbs and spices, and the | | | | - 2 cups cooked wild rice |
| most simple, yet delicious recipes," he added. | | | | - 1 cup frozen corn |
| Imagine Natural soups come in flavors including | | | | - 2 tablespoons chopped red bell pepper |
| Creamy Tomato, Creamy Sweet Corn, Creamy | | | | - 2 tablespoons chopped yellow bell pepper |
| Broccoli, Creamy Portobello Mushroom, Creamy | | | | - 2 tablespoons chopped green bell pepper |
| Butternut Squash and Creamy Potato Leek. | | | | - 1/2 cup sliced green onions |
| Vegetable, Free-Range Chicken and No-Chicken | | | | - 1 small carrot, thinly sliced |
| broths also are available. The soups and broths | | | | - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley |
| come in family-sized or single-serving sized | | | | Combine all ingredients in stock pot and simmer |
| containers. | | | | for 10 minutes. |