Cream of Cauliflower Soup

2 medium onions, chopped
2 medium carrots, grated
2 celery ribs, sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 c. plus 6 T. butter, divided
1 medium head cauliflower, chopped
5 c. chicken broth
1/4 c. minced fresh parsley
1 t. salt
1 t. coarsly ground pepper
1/2 t. dried basil
1/2 t. dried tarragon
6 T. all purpose flour
1 c. milk
1/2 c. heavy whipping cream
1/4 c. sour cream
Fresh tarragon, optional

In a soup kettle or Dutch oven, saute the onions, carrots, celery, and garlic in 1/4 c. butter until tender. Add the cauliflower, broth, parsley, salt, pepper, basil and tarragon. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.

Meanwhile, in a saucepan, melt the remaining butter. Stir in flour until smooth. Gradually stir in the milk and whipping cream. bring to a boil, cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened, stirring frequently. Remove from the heat and pour into soup kettle, stir and heat. Remove from heat and stir in sour cream. Garnish with tarragon if desired.

Yield: 8 servings (about 2 quarts)

Taco Soup

Brown:
1 lb. ground beef
onion

Add:
1 can chili beans w/ liquid
1 can kidney beans w/ liquid
1 can corn w/ liquid
1 8 oz. can tomato sauce
2 c. water
2 cans peeled & diced tomatoes
1 4 oz. can chopped green chili peppers
1 pkg. taco seasoning

Serve with:
Shredded cheese, Sour Cream, & Fritos

Chicken & Rice Soup

Chicken, cooked & shredded
Water, enough to cover the chicken & then some.
1/2 c. rice
small bunch Spagetti noodles broken into 1" pieces.
Chicken boullion
Cream of Chicken soup
Parsley
Garlic
Veggies, carrots, beans, peas, corn, onions, etc.
Salt & Pepper to taste

Ham, Corn Chowder

*A great way to use holiday ham leftovers. You could also use bacon with this.

5 potatoes, peeled, cubed
2 onions, chopped
2 c. cooked ham
3 stalks celery, chopped
1 can whole kernal corn, undrained
1/2 t. salt
1/8 t. pepper
2 chicken boullion cubes (or chicken flavoring)
2 c. water (I use more water than this, I just fill in water until it covers the ham & vegetables.)
1 can evaporated milk
1 can cream of chicken soup
1-2 T. flour for thickening, if desired

Add all ingredients, except for the last three, to a crockpot. Cook for about 4-5 hours until potatoes are nice and soft. Add the last 3 remaining ingredients 30 minutes before serving.

Amber's Chicken & Rice Soup

Cook 3 lbs. chicken in 3 qts. water with chicken boullion, diced onion, and celery for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

Remove chicken and dice. Save the broth. Saute 1 c. sliced carrots, 1 c. diced celery, 1 c. chopped onion. Add veggies to broth, chicken, 1 c. stewed tomatoes, 1 T. parsely, 1/2 t. pepper, and 1/2 t. poultry seasoning or sage.

Cook 20 min. Add 1 1/2 c. of cooked rice just before serving.

compliments of cousin Amber

Chicken Taco Soup

Here's a twist on our traditional taco soup and my fam loves it

2 to 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup salsa
1 can corn, drained
1 can black beans, drained (15 oz)
1 pkg taco seasoning
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese

Place everything but sour cream and cheese in the crockpot. Cook on low heat 6-8 hours or high heat 3-4 hours. Shred the chicken or cut into cubes and add the sour cream and cheese when you're about to eat. Serve with fritos. Yummy!

Chicken Noodle Soup

Homemade Noodles:

1 beaten egg
2 TBSP mild
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup flour

Combine egg, salt, and milk. Add enough flour to make a stiff dough. Roll very thin on floured surface. Let stand 20 minutes. Then cut 1/8 in. thick. Let dry for 2 hours. Boil for 10 minutes.

Soup:
1 large onion
3 stalks celery
3 carrots
3 chicken breasts
1/8 tsp. pepper
1 tsp salt
2 cups water
1/2 tsp basil

In above order put in pot. Bring to a boil turn down and simmer for 30 min to 1 hour (until veggies are soft)

When I made this, I added more water at the end that was flavored with chicken stalk. It was really yummy with a lot of flavor.

Taco Soup

This is my favorite recipe. It is so easy and takes 5 mintues, really!

1 can chili beans
1 can corn
1 can tomatoes
1 can tomoato sauce
1 small can water
taco seasoning to taste (1/3 cup?)

Top with cheese, sour cream, and fritos.

(The man couldn't even tell it didn't have meat until I told him!)