Fragrant Fish Soup

From EatingWell: March/April 2008 — Subscribe Now!

Lemony rice, delicately flavored broth and gently poached tilapia are topped with a colorful blend of vegetables and herbs. The aromatic mint provides fresh and complex flavor.

READER'S COMMENT:

"Followed the recipe and used barley instead of rice as suggested in one of the comments. The broth was very bland and needed more flavor - I'd suggest doubling the lemon juice and zest and perhaps adding jalapenos for flavor. will not...

4 servings, about 1 1/4 cups each

Active Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Nutrition Profile

Ingredients

1 cup jasmine rice
2 cups water
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth, or vegetable broth
1 pound tilapia fillets, or other firm white fish (see Tip)
4 cups bite-size pieces arugula, or watercress (about 1 bunch), tough stems removed
1 cup finely shredded carrots
1/4 cup very thinly sliced fresh mint
2 scallions, finely chopped

Preparation

Combine rice and water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat; cover and cook until the water is absorbed, about 20 minutes. Stir in lemon zest and juice.
Meanwhile, bring broth to a simmer in another medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat so the broth remains steaming, but not simmering. Add fish and cook until just tender, about 5 minutes. Remove and break into bite-size chunks.
Divide the lemony rice among 4 bowls. Top with equal portions of the fish, arugula (or watercress), carrot, mint and scallions. Ladle 1 cup of the warm broth into each bowl and serve.

Tips & Notes

Tip: Look for U.S. farm-raised tilapia, which is usually grown in closed farming systems that limit pollution and prevent escapes. Some Central and South American tilapia is farmed in this manner as well, but avoid tilapia from China and Taiwan, mostly farmed in open systems.

Nutrition

Per serving: 239 calories; 3 g fat (1 g sat, 1 g mono); 62 mg cholesterol; 25 g carbohydrates; 29 g protein; 2 g fiber; 230 mg sodium; 572 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin A (110% daily value), Vitamin C (25% dv), Folate (16% dv).

1 1/2 Carbohydrate Serving

Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 vegetable, 3 lean meat