Broccoli Wild Rice Soup

1 package (6 ounces) chicken and wild rice mix
5 cups of water
1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped broccoli, thawed
1 medium carrot, shredded
2 teaspoons dried minced onion
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, cubed
1/4 cup slivered almonds, optional

In a large saucepan, combine rice, contents of seasonings packet and water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring once. Stir in the broccoli, carrot, and onion. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in soup and cream cheese. Cook and stir until cheese is melted. Stir in almonds if desired.

Another winner with the family. I leave out the almonds because Kylee Anne is allergic to nuts. I also usually add a can of mushrooms for some chunkiness. We love mushrooms. I buy the can of chopped portabello.

Potato Soup

Since the deep south is finally getting some weather for eating hot soup, I thought I would share my favorite potato soup recipe. It is a big hit with my family!

4 cups cubed potatoes
1 medium onion, chopped
1 stick of butter
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 can cream of chicken soup
3/4 lb. Velveeta cheese (cut into small cubes)
2 cups milk
1 tsp garlic salt

In Dutch oven, saute onion in melted butter. Add potatoes. Barely cover with water. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic salt. Cook until potatoes are done. Stir in chicken soup and add cheese. Stir until cheese melts. Add milk and heat through. May be served hot or cold and can be made a day before serving.

OK, I never said that it was figure friendly. Perfect for a cold winter night as an indulgence!!

Carol's chili

Since it has been hovering around 32 here for the high, I am going to post my chili recipe. No idea who Carol is, but I have made this Chili several times, it serves 10 and is very meaty! All the meats can be subbed with turkey meats.

6 slices of bacon
1.5 lbs Kielbasa sausage cut in to slices and halved
1.5 lbs ground turkey
1 lg onion cut into chunks
1 bell pepper cut into chunks
1/2 jalapeno pepper, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2c dark red wine
1/2 c Worcestershire sauce
1 t mustard
1 t celery seeds
1.5 t chili pepper
1/2 t salt
1.5 t pepper
4 15oz cans Italian tomatoes
15oz can pinto beans
150z can kidney beans
15oz can garbanzo beans

Brown bacon and sausage. Set aside. Brown turkey and drain. Cook onion, gr pepper, garlic and jalapeño pepper over low hear 2-3 minutes. Stir in wine and Worcestershire sauce, and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes. Mash tomatoes, add tomatoes and juice all meats and onion mixture to a lg kettle. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes covered. Stir in all beans. Cover and simmer 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
I serve with cornbread, and is yummy with cheese also. Enjoy!

Santa Fe Soup

Ingredients:

2 lbs ground chuck
Conecuh sausage (or sausage of your choice) - optional
1 large onion, chopped
2 (1-ounce) packages ranch dressing mix
2 (1.5 ounce) taco seasoning mix
2 (11 ounce) cans white shoepeg corn, drained
2 cups water
1 (16 ounce) can pinto beans
1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 (16 ounce) can black beans
1 (10 ounce) can rotel tomatoes with chiles

What to do:

• In a dutch oven, brown ground chuck and onion until meat is brown and onion is tender, drain
• Add remaining ingredients (do not drain the liquid from the canned ingredients - except for corn)
• Stir well, bring to boil, reduce head, cover and simmer for 2 hrs
• ENJOY!

NOTE: This can also be done in a crock pot. You, of course, have to cook the meat prior to putting in crock pot.

Vegetable Beef Soup

Ingredients:

Stew Meat (I use ground round cut for stew)
Onion (as many as you like - I use one)
Bell Pepper (as many as you like - I used half of one)
Canned vegetables of choice (I use green beans, lima beans, corn, black-eyed peas, okra, carrots, diced potatoes)
2-3 cans Diced Tomatoes
Beef Bouillon

What to do:

Stove Top Directions

• Brown meat in oil until no longer pink
• Add chopped onion and bell pepper and cook until soft
• Drain meat, onion and bell pepper and add to pot
• Add canned vegetables - drained, tomatoes and beef bouillon
• Add water if necessary
• Let simmer and ENJOY!

Crock Pot Directions

• Place meat in crock pot and cover with water, add bouillon cubes - let cook overnight
• In the morning, add all vegetables
• Cook all day
• Come home and ENJOY!