Happy Friday, friends!
Let me introduce you to my good pal, Stoup.
Stoup is thicker than a regular ol’ soup, but thinner than stew. Because of that, he’s kinda the lone kid on the jungle gym and often gets forgotten about after school. It breaks my heart, really, because I love him so much and can see that he has so much hidden potential.
Here’s what’s so cool about Stoup. To eat him, you can use a spoon OR a fork…a bowl OR a plate. He’s more filling than a soup and is pretty healthy, too, if you really think about it. Plus, he’s totally easy to make. As in all you need is 15 minutes.
So whatdaya say? Wanna be friends with Stoup, too?
You’ll need some alphabet pasta! I got this whole wheat one from Whole Foods and love it. It makes me feel young again and is super fun to eat….even if you’re eating by yourself.
The rest of the ingredients are easy: canned diced tomatoes, feta, lemon zest and garlic. It’s sorta like a Mediterranean feast in a bowl. I don’t know about you, but I could live off feta and diced tomatoes.
This is seriously one of my favorite meals to make for myself. It’s light but still filling and I always feel healthy after eating it because there’s green things in it. Plus, it’s ridiculously tasty and easy to make.
I balance out the green things with huge chunks of feta, obviously.
Stoup’s on!
Greek Alphabet Stoup
serves 4
Ingredients:
16 oz alphabet shaped pasta (I used a whole wheat variation that I found at Whole Foods)
1 T extra virgin olive oil
1 T balsamic vinegar
1 32-oz can diced tomatoes
1 10-oz bag baby spinach
8 oz crumbled feta cheese
1/2 tsp salt
pinch of black pepper
2 lemons, zested
2 cloves garlic, minced
Directions:
Cook the pasta in boiling salted water. Drain and set aside.
In the same pot (but off the heat), add the garlic, olive oil, lemon zest, vinegar, tomatoes, salt and pepper. Add the pasta and spinach and place back over low/medium heat and cook until the spinach wilts.
Remove pasta from stove and add the feta.
Garnish with an additional drizzle of olive oil if desired.
Time:
15 minutes
amy walters, aDESIGNdock
May 20, 2011 at 4:45 amAmazing recipe Jenna!!! I will definitely be making this for myself. I love the feta…love the name…love the simplicity 😉
amy*
Nora@LifeLifeEatRight
May 20, 2011 at 4:50 amThis is so playful!! Not to mention great flavors! Looks like a summer time favorite for sure. 🙂 Plus…Feta makes everything BETTA! YUM!
kaila @ healthy helper!
May 20, 2011 at 4:54 amI loooove alphabet noodles! They make me feel like I am five again! This is like the grown up version of spaghetti o’s!!!
Heather (Heather's Dish)
May 20, 2011 at 5:05 amthose alphabet noodles are so cute! this stoup sounds perfect for the freezing cold rainy weather colorado is being blessed with lately [shiver]!
Daniella @ Runner at Heart
May 20, 2011 at 5:23 amI love stoup’s I first found out about them through Rachael Ray and have made several of her stoup recipes but this one sounds delicious, I guess I will just have to try it.
Baking 'n' Books
May 20, 2011 at 5:40 amI’ll have to check that out. I love Rachel Ray and never heard of this before.
Alyssa - fashion fitness foodie
May 20, 2011 at 5:25 amI haven’t seen a stoop since my Rachel ray watching days! I love the alphabet letters.
jenna
May 20, 2011 at 5:27 ami love stoups!!!!! and alphabet pasta!!! i pretend I buy it for ava but really it’s for my own needs!! 🙂 it’s awesome!
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat
May 20, 2011 at 5:28 amYou always have such cute pasta Jenna! I’m definitely looking out for the alphabet kind next time I’m at Whole Foods. Great recipe!
Danielle
May 20, 2011 at 5:39 amThis looks so youthful and delicious. I love it! I like the term stoup. I will use it from now on, because I make stoups all the time and never knew what to call them.
Sidenote: tiny pasta is as cute as baby shoes
Tasha @ Voracious
May 20, 2011 at 5:39 amStoup! ARGGHGH I’m having flashbacks of Rachel Ray, when that was the only thing on the one English television station we got in Bahrain. She was disturbingly obsessed with soup, but hers never looked anywhere near as good as this. THAT looks incredible…especially the chunks of feta.
Baking 'n' Books
May 20, 2011 at 5:40 amTomatoes and feta = yes!! Although more of any type of tomato-based tomato sauce with any type of cheese = paired with anything = meal!
I love this – Stoup! Yes, I hate thin soups so rarely eat soup. But a soup I can eat with a fork? I can do that! I am going to make it a goal of mine to actually start making new things and this is going to be one of the first ones!
(Just not for another month or two…when I have a home to live in because now I’m floundering. )
Holly @ The Runny Egg
May 20, 2011 at 5:44 amI need those noodles — they are so adorable!
Krystina (Organically Me)
May 20, 2011 at 5:50 amI’m in love with alphabet pasta. 😀
Where did you get that white bowl? I love it so.
Liv
May 20, 2011 at 5:51 amRachael Ray has been making stoups since…the first day of her 30 Minute Meals show.
Leslie
May 20, 2011 at 6:08 amThank you making a printer friendly version of the recipe. It looks amazing, I’m trying this one soon!
Molly @ RDexposed
May 20, 2011 at 6:21 amWhen in doubt, add feta.
Evan Thomas
May 20, 2011 at 6:29 amI wonder if you order alphabet soup in Greece what alphabet the soup is in.
Denise
May 20, 2011 at 6:33 amThis soup is calling me! Would be nice with orzo pasta, contributes to the Greek theme:)
Lucy @ The Sweet Touch
May 20, 2011 at 7:03 amOhh, good idea, I am in the process of clearing out my pantry and was just looking for an orzo recipe!
Carrie
May 20, 2011 at 9:28 amyes, great tip! I feel like I always struggle with orzo ideas 🙂
Denise
May 20, 2011 at 2:35 pmAnother great recipe with orzo: boil orzo, add zucchini, smoked trout and goat cheese. EAT!
Baking 'n' Books
May 20, 2011 at 7:19 pmOh wow – 2 of my fav ingredients…now to find trout and orzo 🙂
ashleigh
May 20, 2011 at 6:38 amAll of my favorite things (spinach, tomatoes, feta) in one pot…sounds delicious!
Liz @ Tip Top Shape
May 20, 2011 at 6:54 amMmm, this looks amazing!! I love the idea of using alphabet pasta! How fun!!
Amy
May 20, 2011 at 6:56 amMmm, I think I’ll be making this for dinner tonight.
Thanks for planting the memory of Rachael Ray in my head. She’s definitely into the STOUP thing…well, along with EVOO and GB 😉
Jessica @ How Sweet
May 20, 2011 at 7:20 amI love stoup!!
Averie (LoveVeggiesandYoga)
May 20, 2011 at 7:27 amJenna the recipe looks wonderful and I love the colors in it! So pretty!
I also am lovin’ the stoup factor. Nice and thick and a fork works. The stoup/thickfactor combined with the letter shapes = a perfect preschooler food. Learn the letters AND dont drip and spill soup all over the kitchen floor is a beautiful thing 🙂
Kristen
May 20, 2011 at 7:33 amMmm….that looks delicious. I might have to try that before it gets too warm for stoup!
Maryea {Happy Healthy Mama}
May 20, 2011 at 7:37 amThis looks incredible! I wonder if my 2-year-old would eat it? I mean, it does have fun alphabet pasta, after all. 🙂
Haleigh
May 20, 2011 at 8:09 amSuch a cute little story, Jenna! The recipe looks fantastic, as well! I’ll have to give it a try since I’ve never tried stoup before.
Abby White@Eat, Drink and Be Aware
May 20, 2011 at 8:17 amAmazing! I even think my kids would like this soup. Thanks for sharing!
Katie @ Nourishing Flourishing
May 20, 2011 at 8:40 amStouuup! Yeah!
Marina
May 20, 2011 at 8:45 amAwesome. I adore pasta, tomatoes, and feta, so I think this is a perfect meal for me :))
Mary (what's cookin' with mary)
May 20, 2011 at 9:04 amI rememeber first hearing the word ‘stoup’ on Rachel Rey’s show… and have been addicted ever since. I much prefer the thicker/ chunkier cousin to soup 🙂
Brenna [fabuleuxdestin]
May 20, 2011 at 9:07 amYUMMY and healthy!
Sarah@The Flying ONION
May 20, 2011 at 9:37 amI can’t *wait* to make this!! This may be my favorite recipe yet (not counting the s’mores cupcakes!
)
Natalia - a side of simple
May 20, 2011 at 9:49 amAnd I thought I was the only one…. 🙂
Andrea @ The Skinny Chronicles
May 20, 2011 at 10:16 amAdorable (and surely tasty). Also, I loved the summer reading list post…we have very similar taste in literature. It’s nice to know there are others out there who are also such avid readers.
Sarah @ The Pajama Chef
May 20, 2011 at 10:23 amhow fun! haven’t had alphabet soup in years…and this looks even better!
Kelley
May 20, 2011 at 10:27 amThis looks just amazing!! Feta, tomatoes, pasta… YUM!
ashmastandrea
May 20, 2011 at 10:31 amWhen I clicked on this in reader I thought the pasta would be Greek letters, haha!
It would be cool to do this soup with some sigmas, alphas and omegas! 🙂
French Heart
May 20, 2011 at 10:32 amYum. Am on my way to Farmer’s Market/Whole Foods….will make this with little bit of some gluten-free, organic Ancient Harvest Quinoa Pasta line. Thanks!
Forgot to post a book recommendation yesterday…but did a post today on my site. ‘Mediterranean Summer’ with photos/info/website…..MUST READ. Seriously, Jenna, this book will drive you CRAZY it’s so FANTASTIC!!! My new bible. I may sleep with it on my pillow…wait no, hugged to my chest.
Brittany
May 20, 2011 at 10:42 amI love stoup too. Unfortunately (fortunately?) reading your post about stoup has triggered some sort of mental illiteracy. I distinctly read “a spork.. or a foon.. a powl, or a blate”. But I’m a little nuts (obvi), and your stoup looks delicious. I may eat it out of a large spug with a moon.
Jil @ Big City, Lil Kitchen
May 20, 2011 at 11:44 amThis looks so great! Love the alphabets. 🙂
Jenny @ Fitness Health and Food
May 20, 2011 at 12:07 pmJenna,
This is so Racheal Ray of you 😉 hehe
I LOVE alphabet noodles, it’s been too long since I’ve had them!
kellyo
May 20, 2011 at 12:10 pmI’m eating this right now, with a few adjustments. Delicious!
Tori (Fresh Fruition)
May 20, 2011 at 12:34 pmI love the alphabet noodles! Maybe it’s the kid in me. I used to ADORE alphabet soup and spaghetti-o’s!
Kate @ NaturaStride
May 20, 2011 at 12:47 pmAlphabet stoup! So much fun – looks flavorful 🙂 Thanks!
Jenny (Fit Girl Foodie)
May 20, 2011 at 2:09 pmThis soup kinda makes me wanna play with my food lol 😉
Aggie
May 20, 2011 at 2:26 pmI love stoup. And need some of this in my life. That looks so good and good for you!!
Moni'sMeals
May 20, 2011 at 2:35 pmLove this! I remember RR sayin Stoup and it bothering me but when you post it, I LOVE IT, weird eh?!
I had a stoup phase myself. I adore this recipe and I am getting these noodles asap. 🙂
Melissa @ Journey to Marvelous
May 20, 2011 at 2:56 pmThis looks great and super easy…and the alphabet pasta is so cute!!
kate
May 20, 2011 at 3:10 pmSuch a fine dish to say! Im sure its just as enjoyable to make and eat. Have a great weekend.
Mellie
May 20, 2011 at 3:46 pmYum!
Heidi - Apples Under My Bed
May 20, 2011 at 4:02 pmlove it. I need to get me some soup. Tasty and intellectual hehe.
Heidi xo
Heidi - Apples Under My Bed
May 20, 2011 at 4:03 pm* alphabet spaghetti I mean, doh. clearly i need it 😉
Natalie
May 20, 2011 at 4:54 pmSo adorable and looks so tasty. with all that spinach and feta! yum!
McKayla @ Green Groats
May 20, 2011 at 5:03 pmI’ll be stoup’s friend. So easy and delicious 🙂
meghan@ struggle muffins
May 20, 2011 at 5:49 pmOooo and adult-ified version of a childhood delight – me gusta mucho! You can never go wrong with feta and tomatoes 🙂
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen
May 20, 2011 at 6:23 pmLove stoup! Hate that the term makes me think of Rachael Ray. This looks so fresh and delicious though 🙂
Ingrid
May 20, 2011 at 8:30 pmnom nom nom, making this tomorrow night!
Favorites Friday: My Favorite Posts of the Week | The Journey to Marvelous
May 20, 2011 at 8:52 pm[…] Eat Live Run – Greek Alphabet Stoup […]
Kari @ bite-sized thoughts
May 20, 2011 at 10:01 pmI love thick soups and alphabet pasta, so this looks like a recipe for me 🙂 I may just adopt the ‘stoup’ term too!
Allison @ The Delicious Life
May 21, 2011 at 12:05 amMmmm it was rainy today and this is exactly what the weather called for! I love that it doesn’t take very long to prepare. Thanks for the recipe!
Katrina
May 21, 2011 at 1:46 amThis sounds lovely, and I love the name ‘stoup’! So funny.
DessertForTwo
May 21, 2011 at 7:48 amI love to make myself soup for dinner. I can throw it on the back burner when I get home, do my chores and come back to a soothing bowl of deliciousness. The only downside is that it’s not very filling, so thanks for making a filling stoup! I can’t wait to try this. These are some of my favorite flavor combos too! 🙂
Katherine: Unemployed
May 21, 2011 at 8:08 amI love anything made with those pasta shapes
Kathryn @London Bakes
May 22, 2011 at 9:47 amMy favourite pasta salad is made with spinach, feta and slow roasted tomatoes but I love how this is a slightly lighter version and a perfect weeknight supper. Thanks for the super recipe!
Ashley
May 24, 2011 at 7:22 pmReminds me of adult spaghetti-o’s! The ingredients are on my grocery list and I can’t wait to try this!
Elise @ Healthy and Cheap
May 24, 2011 at 7:49 pmI think you may be my new best friend – I’m newer to the healthy eating train and still think eating healthy consists of bland chicken breasts and brown rice, which is boring. I read a lot of health and fitness blogs, and think you’re witty, inspirational and educational all in one blog. Kudos to you!
Alyssa
July 11, 2011 at 7:50 pmum wow. that was so great i have never put lemon zest in my tomato sauce… and now i am thinking i will never be leaving it out!
Quick and Easy Meals « Fit Chick Britt
September 7, 2011 at 9:47 am[…] Jenna’s Alphabet Stoup […]
Ashley Lewis
September 27, 2011 at 7:06 pmI made this tonight and it was wonderful!
Alycia
October 7, 2011 at 7:19 pmJust made this and am enjoying right now with a glass of red wine. Hearty but light….so delicious! Thanks 🙂
amanda
October 11, 2011 at 7:11 amthis soup is so good and so easy! thank you so much!
Susan West
February 22, 2012 at 12:47 pmI guess we are the exception when it comes to falling in love with this recipe. While I found this recipe easy to prepare, I hardly consider it a soup. We also found the vinegar to be overpowering. If I make it again, I will add more tomatoes (maybe even add my home-canned juiced tomatoes) to give it a little more liquid and will cut back on the balsamic vinegar.
Brooke
March 13, 2012 at 6:24 pmwe have the same pasta and would like to make this tonight! but do you use one box or two?