CREAMY GARLIC-EDAMAME SOUP

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2 tablespoons olive oil

4 cloves garlic, peeled

2 bay leaves

4 cups shelled edamame, divided

Two 14-ounce cans low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1/2 teaspoon Splenda granular/sugar

Dash freshly grated nutmeg

Kosher salt and black pepper to taste

1/2 cup fat free half & half

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the whole garlic cloves and bay leaves and cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes or until softened and golden. Add 3 1/2 cups Edamame and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Add the broth, red pepper flakes, Splenda, nutmeg and salt and pepper. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered for 25 minutes.

Remove and discard the bay leaves. In a blender or food processor, blend or process the soup in batches until smooth. Return the soup to the saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir in the cream and and heat through, but do not let it boil. Garnish each serving with the reserved whole edamame. Makes 8 servings. (If it gets too thick on reheating, add a little chicken broth.)

Per Serving: Calories 174; Protein 12 g; Fat 6 g; Carbs 7 g; Sugar 2 g; Sodium 307 mg