Potato Ham Soup

Ingredients:
3 1/2 C peeled & diced potatoes
1/3 C chopped celery
1/3 C chopped onion
1 1/2 C cooked diced ham ( I used a 1 lb ham steak)
3 3/4 C water
2T chicken Bouillon granules
1 tsp black or white pepper
5T butter
5T flour
2 C milk
1/4C shredded cheese (any kind)

Step 1:
Combine the potatoes, onion, celery, ham & water in large stock pot. Bring to a boil & cook over medium heat for 15 minutes. Stir in Chicken Bouillon & pepper.

Step 2:
In a separate sauce pan, melt butter over Medium/Low heat. Whisk in flour, stirring constantly until thick (about 1 minute). Slowly stir in milk - do not allow lumps to form. Continue to stir over Medium heat for 5 minutes.

Step 3:
Stir in the milk mixture into the stock pot & cook until heated thru. Slowly add cheese & keep stirring for 5-10 minutes.

Delicious - Next time I want to add shredded carrots!

Creamy Tomato Soup

Ingredients:
1 can chicken broth
14 Roma tomatoes
1/2 c onion
18 - 20 fresh basil leaves
minced garlic
1 tsp sugar
1 c milk
1 c heavy cream
1 T butter
salt & pepper to taste


Chop your onions & saute with garlic

Quarter your tomatoes (leave the skins on)


Boil your tomatoes, onion, garlic, salt, pepper & sugar in chicken broth.


De-vein the basil & give a rough chop. Add to pot, keep soup on a low boil.

Reduce heat & add butter, milk & cream - stir continually & bring to a low boil.

Use your hand blender to puree soup.
Enjoy!

Not the best photo...but Anders & Grandpa loved it!

We froze some too... not sure how it will turn out with the milk & cream - will keep you posted.

Beef Barley Soup

1 lb ground beef, browned & drained
1 medium onion, diced & sauteed with meat
1 Tblsp minced garlic, sauteed with meat
2 14oz can diced tomatoes, undrained
2 14 oz cans beef broth
1 bag frozen mixed vegetables
1/2 c uncooked barely
1 tsp salt
black pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in slow cooker, cover & cook on LOW 6-8 hours (or until barley & vegetables are tender).

Santa Fe Soup

Easy soup for a cold winter day

1 lb ground beef, browned & drained
1 onion, chopped, cook with beef

Add:
1 packet of dry ranch dressing
1 packet of dry taco seasoning (mild or hot... what ever you prefer)

Then Add:
1 can black beans
1 can kidney beans
1 can pinto beans
1 can tomatoes with green chilies
1 can diced tomatoes
2 cans white corn
2 cups water

Cook for at least 30 minutes on med/hi heat stirring occasionally.
Garnish with cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions & chips

More good soups for freezing

Roasted Tomato Basil Soup (we have not made this one yet, but plan to as soon as our tomatos turn RED)

Ingredients:
3 pounds ripe Roma tomatoes, cut in half
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons good olive oil
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
2 cups chopped yellow onions (2 onions)
6 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 (28-ounce) canned plum tomatoes, with their juice
4 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
1 quart chicken stock or water

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Toss together the tomatoes, 1/4 cup olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread the tomatoes in 1 layer on a baking sheet and roast for 45 minutes.
In an 8-quart stockpot over medium heat, sauté the onions and garlic with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, the butter, and red pepper flakes for 10 minutes, until the onions start to brown. Add the canned tomatoes, basil, thyme, and chicken stock. Add the oven-roasted tomatoes, including the liquid on the baking sheet. Bring to a boil and simmer uncovered for 40 minutes. Pass through a food mill fitted with the coarsest blade. *** If you like it less chunky I would get a hand blender and puree it a little bit.
Taste for seasonings. Can serve hot or cold.















Broccoli Cheese Soup
1 stick butter
chopped onion
1 16 oz. bag broccoli
4 (14 oz.) cans chicken broth (I use the fat free cans)
1 lb. processed cheese
2 c. milk
1 Tbls. garlic powder
2/3 c. cornstarch
1 c. water

Saute butter and onions. Stir in broccoli and chicken broth. Simmer until broc. is done. 10-15 min.
Reduce heat, add cheese cut in cubes, milk and garlic powder. Stir cornstarch into the water and stir into soup.

Never boil!

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.