Good soups to make now & freeze.

CREAM OF CAULIFLOWER SOUP

Ingredients:
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 leek, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1 teaspoon dried tarragon
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup dry white wine
6 cups chicken stock
salt to taste
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper
1 head cauliflower, broken into small florets
1 cup milk
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 1/2 cups shredded Swiss cheese

Directions:
Steam cauliflower.
Melt the butter or margarine in a stockpot over medium high heat. Add leek, onion, and carrot; cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes. Stir in the tarragon and thyme; cook 1 minute longer. Add flour; cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Reduce the heat to medium, and gradually stir in the wine and chicken stock. Season the soup with salt and white pepper. Add the steamed cauliflower flowerets. Simmer the soup, uncovered, stirring occasionally for 30 minutes.
Puree the soup in batches in a blender, and return to the pot. Stir in the milk and cream. Gently heat just until heated through.
Stir in Swiss cheese until melted

BLACK BEAN SOUP

Ingredients:
10 slices bacon, finely chopped
2 medium onions, chopped (about 2 1/2 cups)
6 garlic cloves, pressed
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 1/2 cups canned chopped tomatoes
2 tablespoons ketchup
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon chili powder
4 (15 1/2-ounce) cans black beans, drained but not rinsed
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 bunch cilantro
juice of 1/2 lime
Thinly sliced scallions, for garnish
Sour cream, for garnish
Grated cheddar & guacamole for garnish

Directions:
Put the bacon into a large heavy pot and place it over medium heat. Cook until it starts to give up its fat, about 4 minutes. Stir in the onions and cook, stirring, until they start to turn translucent, about 4 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook until you can smell it, about 1 minute. Add the broth, tomatoes, ketchup, Worcestershire, and chili powder. Stir in the beans, turn the heat to high and bring to a boil. Adjust the heat so the soup is bubbling gently and cook 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Meanwhile, pick off all the thick stems from the cilantro. Wash it and shake dry. Chop the cilantro coarsely and stir it into the soup when it has been simmering 10 minutes. cook until the soup is thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the lime juice. Serve with the garnishes.