Tomato-Basil Parmesan Soup

This soup was yummy! We made it with half and half like the original recipe from 365 Days of Slow Cooking. It was delicious and super creamy but I think it could have been thinner. Considering how much fat this recipe has in it next time we will just add milk. If I ever take it to a soup party I will do it with the half and half though because it is super rich and yummy. Its like spaghetti or pizza in soup form!

2 (14 oz) cans diced tomatoes, with juice
1 cup finely diced celery
1 cup finely diced carrots
1 cup finely diced onions
1 tsp dried oregano or 1 T fresh oregano
1 T dried basil or 1/4 cup fresh basil
4 cups chicken broth
½ cup flour
1 cup Parmesan cheese
½ cup butter
2 cups milk (half and half if you want it really creamy)
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper

Add tomatoes, celery, carrots, chicken broth, onions, oregano, and basil to a large slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW for 5-7 hours, until flavors are blended and vegetables are soft.

About 30 minutes before serving prepare a roux. Melt butter over low heat in a skillet and add flour. Stir constantly until smooth. Slowly stir in 1 cup hot soup. Add another 3 cups and stir until smooth. Add all back into the slow cooker. Stir and add the Parmesan cheese, warmed half and half, salt and pepper. Cover and cook on LOW for another 30 minutes or so until ready to serve.

Broccoli and Cauliflower Cheese Soup

I don't love cauliflower but this soup is to die for! Its from my friend Pam and we all loved it. Best part you can freeze it!

1 can chicken broth (13 oz - so a little less then 2 cups. 2 cups is 16 oz)
1 small onion, diced
1/3 c. flour
1/4 c. butter
Pepper to taste (I used about 1/2 teaspoon)
2 c. milk (I wanted it super creamy, so I did 1 1/2 cups 2% milk and 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream)
1 1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese (the sharper the better for flavor)
1/2 c. shredded swiss cheese
Steamed chopped cauliflower
Steamed chopped broccoli
Optional: Chopped Onion, Carrots, and any other veggie!

Simmer chicken broth and chopped onion for 15-20 minutes in a covered small saucepan, until onions are soft. Heat milk in microwave for 1-2 minutes. In a separate medium-sized stockpot, melt butter then add flour and pepper. Cook together for a couple of minutes, then whisk in warmed milk. Stir and heat together on medium-high heat until soup starts to thicken. Next add chicken broth and continue to stir until well blended. Add cheeses and steamed broccoli. Serve immediately.

Italian Sausage Soup

This is such a good soup from my sis-in-law Lisa. A must try!

1 lb Italian or turkey Italian sausage
2-3 c broccoli
1 c uncooked mostaccioi pasta
2 ½ c water
½ tsp dried basil leaves
¼ tsp pepper
1- 28 oz can diced tomatoes, undrained
2- 10 oz cans Campbell’s French Onion soup

Brown sausage and put in pot. Throw in remaining ingredients, and heat to boiling. Reduce heat to med-low cover and cook about 15 min or until pasta is done.

Taco Soup

1 lb ground beef
1 pkg taco seasoning
½ onion
8 oz can tomato sauce
16 oz can kidney beans
1 can corn
28 oz stewed tomatoes

Brown meat and onion. Add to crock pot along with all other ingredients. Cook on low 6-hours. Serve with sour cream and Fritos.

My Mamas Chili

2 lbs stew meat- browned
½ c Bar-B-Q Sauce
2 lbs. hamburger- browned
1 tsp garlic powder
2 onions diced fine
½ tsp Cumin
1 can chili Beans
2 Tbsp Chili Powder
1 can diced tomatoes
Salt & Pepper
1 or 2 cans tomatoes sauce
1 can Pinto beans- drain
1 sm can mild green chilies
1 can kidney beans- drain
4 slices Bacon, cooked and crumbled

Combine all ingredients into crock pot. Cook for 8 hours. Serve with cheddar cheese, green onions, sour cream

Summer Corn Chowder

This recipe is from Martha Stewart

2 slices of bacon, cut into small pieces and cooked
1 small onion, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
1 sprig fresh Thyme (you can add dried but fresh is better)
3 c chicken broth 3
ears fresh corn with kernel shaved from cob
4-6 small white new potatoes cut into ½ inch slices
1 poblano pepper
1 ½ c half and half

Cook bacon and remove from pan. Leave about 2 Tbsp of bacon grease and add onion, celery, thyme and cook over med-low heat until tender. Add the broth, cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and cook for 15 min with lid off. Add the corn, potatoes, and pepper and cook until the potatoes become tender. Remove the thyme and discard. Add the half and half, season with salt and pepper, and add bacon pieces back in. Simmer until hot

Clam Chowder

This is my Dads clam chowder recipe and such a great meal on a cold night. Try it in the bread bowl recipe! Mmmmmm....

1 pkg bacon
4-6 potatoes
1 med onion
2 cans chopped clams
2 Tbsp flour
2-3 Tbsp butter
~4 c milk
salt, pepper

Cook cut potatoes in water until soft, but not mushy. Fry bacon then add in onions until cooked, set aside. Add 2-3 Tbsps butter to bacon drippings until melted and then add 2 Tbsps flour and mix to a paste. Slowly add about 4 cups milk. Bring to boil stirring constantly until sauce thickens. Add clams, potatoes, and bacon and onion mixture. Season with salt and pepper. Let simmer together for 15 minutes on low heat.