Category: SOUPS & STEWS & CHILIS

CREAMY LEMON CHICKEN SOUP

Need a FRESH start to the new year?  Try this soup full of tender chicken, crunchy snap peas and a tangy lemon bite to wake up your senses.

LEMON CHICKEN CREAMY SOUP
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons WONDRA flour
3/4 cup small diced red onion
2 1/2 cups chicken bone broth
Juice of 2 LARGE lemons
2 cups diced rotisserie chicken
1 1/2 cups trimmed and halved sugar snap peas
1 tablespoon FRESH chopped Italian leaf parsley
1 tablespoon FRESH chopped rosemary
1 tablespoon FRESH chopped thyme
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream

  • Melt butter in sauce pan over medium-high heat.
  • Add onions, sauteing 2-3 minutes until soft.
  • Sprinkle with flour and stir well until smooth.
  • Add lemon juice and broth gradually.
  • Generously season with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes until it begins to thicken.
  • Stir in chicken and peas, simmering another 5 minutes until chicken is warmed through and peas are crisp-tender.
  • Reduce heat to low and stir in cream, simmering just until the cream is blended in and heated through.
  • Season to taste.
  • Serve immediately.

NOTE: I like to serve it with my Savory Chicken Bread 😀 That recipe will post tomorrow.

CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP

CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP serves 6

1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chiles, undrained
1 can (10 oz) mild enchilada sauce
1 can (4.5 oz) chopped green chiles
4 cups chicken broth
1 can white shopper corn
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/4 cup chopped FRESH cilantro
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups diced rotisserie chicken
4 soft corn tortillas (5 to 6 inch), cut into 1-inch strips
chopped onions for garnish
sour cream dollop for garnish
drizzle of hot sauce for garnish
chopped cilantro for garnish

  • Add everything except chicken to a large sauté pan or soup kettle.
  • Cover, cooking over medium heat and bring to a SLOW boil.
  • Lower heat to low and simmer 30 minutes.
  • Add chicken, stirring to blend.
  • Serve immediately with toppings.

CHICKEN & PEANUT STEW

CHICKEN & PEANUT STEW
2 tablespoons butter
3 cups chopped rotisserie chicken
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1 tablespoon chopped FRESH thyme
1 Vidalia onion, chopped
2 large carrots, peeled and chopped
2 stalks celery, halved and chopped
2 turnips, peeled and chopped (see notes)
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons grated ginger
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1/2 cup JIF creamy peanut butter
3 cups chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
Juice of 1 LARGE lemon
Chopped peanuts for garnish
Chopped Italian parsley, for garnish

  • Melt butter in large dutch oven.
  • Add parsnips, sauteing for 2-3 minutes.
  • Add carrots, turnips and onions, sauteing 3-5 minutes more.
  • Add onions, thyme leaves and FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Stir in chicken broth, tomato paste, ginger, garlic and crushed red pepper, simmering 30-40 minutes.
  • Stir in peanut butter and lemon juice, simmering another 15-20 minutes.
  • Adjust seasoning.
  • Garnish with chopped Italian parsley and chopped peanuts.

NOTES:  Butternut squash is a great substitute fr a different flavor profile.

RUSSIAN CABBAGE SOUP

Oh my this is my new favorite soup! I could eat this EVERY day!

RUSSIAN CABBAGE SOUP adapted from The Sophisticated Cavemen  serves 8

1/4 cup avocado oil
1 LARGE onion, diced
4 carrots, halved lengthwise and sliced
3 celery ribs, halved lengthwise and sliced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 (6 ounce) can of tomato paste
1 SMALL head of cabbage, large chopped
1 pound turnips, diced
8 cups homemade chicken stock
1/2 teaspoon caraway seeds (optional)
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
1 bay leaf
1/4-1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, to taste
1 1/2 cups chopped rotisserie chicken pieces
2 tablespoons FRESH Tarragon, chopped
2 tablespoons FRESH Parsley, chopped

  • Heat the avocado oil in dutch oven over medium high heat.
  • Add the onions, carrots, and celery and saute 5-7 minutes until onions are translucent.
  • Add the garlic and cook 30 seconds or so until fragrant.
  • Stir in the tomato paste and cook 3-4 minutes until it starts to brown.
  • GENEROUSLY season with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Add the cabbage and cook until it is slightly tender, about 5-6 minutes.
  • Add the turnips and pour in the stock.
  • Season again with the caraway seeds, salt, pepper, and bay leaf and bring to a SLOW boil.
  • Reduce the heat to LOW, cover, and simmer until the cabbage and turnips are tender, about 1 hour.
  • Remove the bay leaf.
  • Add chicken pieces (see note), stirring well.
  • Stir in apple cider vinegar.
  • Cover and simmer for another 5 minutes.
  • Stir in the the fresh tarragon and parsley.
  • Adjust seasonings to taste.

NOTE: for a different flavor profile substitute 1 pound of browned ground beef.

CREAM OF POTATO SOUP PLUS!

This easy, full of flavor, rich and creamy potato soup recipe is truly the best!  It’s quick and easy and always so cozy and deliciously comforting.

CREAM OF POTATO SOUP
6 slices bacon, diced
3 tablespoons bacon grease
1 LARGE sweet onion, diced
1 1/2 cups chopped red, orange and/or yellow peppers
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup WONDRA flour
2 cups chicken stock
2 cups WHOLE milk, warmed
1 1/2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, diced
1 cup shredded SHARP cheddar cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, or to taste

GARNISHES
Thinly-sliced green onions or chives
extra shredded cheese
extra bacon
A dollop of sour cream

  • Sauté bacon in a dutch oven until well rendered and crispy.
  • Transfer bacon pieces to a plate lined with paper towels.
  • To the reserved bacon grease sauce the onions until softened.
  • Add pepper pieces and sauté a couple minutes more.
  • Add garlic and saute’ until fragrant.
  • Stir in flour until smooth to create your roux.
  • Stir in milk and chicken broth, bringing to a SLOW simmer.
  • Add in potatoes, cooking and stirring often 20-30 minutes until potatoes are softened and tender. The smaller diced your potatoes are, the faster your soup will cook.
  • Taste and season to taste with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Fold in chicken pieces.
  • Stir in cheese, sour cream and crispy bacon pieces.
  • Serve warm with desired garnishes.

FLAVOR VARIATIONS
This soup makes an AWESOME base for all sorts of flavor variations! Just add 1 tablespoon of your favorite flavor of seasoning.

Some of my favorites are:

  • ITALIAN seasoning blend or FRESH chopped Basil, Parsley, Oregano
  • TEX-MEX seasoning blend or FRESH chopped jalapeno or similar type pepper
  • CAJUN – I like SLAP YOUR MAMA and/or chopped Okra
  • Or make it LOADED with sour cream, shredded cheese, chopped green onions
    Or add in your favorite veggies!

Changing up the type of potatoes is another way of amping the flavor – try sweet potatoes or baking the potatoes first.

NOTES:

  • I only use center cut bacon for ALL recipes because it has less fat, cooks up nice and evenly and usually tastes the best too!
  • I also use WONDRA for my flour because it is much finer so it makes a much smoother roux and creamier soup base.

PORK GREEN CHILI ala CROCK POT

PORK GREEN CHILI ala CROCK POT
1 tablespoon avocado oil
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
2 pound pork loin, cut into large chunks
3-4 LARGE garlic cloves, minced
1 large yellow onion, diced
8 ounces taco sauce
8 ounce chopped green chilies
1 can ROTEL original fire roasted tomatoes with green chiles
2 teaspoons cumin
1 bunch green onions, chopped or sliced thin (reserve some for garnish)
1 can Bush’s black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can S&W Cattle beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup FRESH chopped Cilantro + a few sprigs for garnish
sour cream, for garnish
shredded cheese, for garnish
GRANDMA Ware’s skillet corn bread

  • Heat oil in skillet.
  • Generously season pork roast with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Add pork pieces to skillet and sear on all sides.
  • Transfer pork pieces to slow cooker.
  • Add onions to skillet and saute’ until softened.
  • Add garlic, green chiles, taco sauce, cumin, 1/2 cup chopped cilantro, ROTEL tomatoes and most of the green onions to the skillet, blending well and cooking until fragrant. Add to slow cooker and stir well with pork pieces.
  • Cook on HIGH 90 minutes.
  • Lower to LOW and cook 6 hours more until pork is tender.
  • Add beans and cook another 30 minutes.
    Serve with a dollop of sour cream, fresh chopped cilantro, chopped green onions and shredded cheese PLUS your favorite corn bread!

CHICKEN CORN CHOWDER – CROCK POT STYLE

CHICKEN CORN CHOWDER – CROCK POT STYLE  serves 8-10

1/4 cup butter
3 pounds golden potatoes, washed and diced
1/2 LARGE Vidalia onion, diced
FRESH ground black pepper, to taste
4 cups chicken broth, preferably FRESH made
20 ounces frozen corn
3 tablespoons cornstarch
4 tablespoons water
3 cups heavy cream
3 cups diced rotisserie chicken pieces
1 bunch green onions, sliced thin
1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
6 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled for garnish

  • Spray LARGE crock pot with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Cube butter into bottom of crock pot.
  • Add potatoes and corn, stirring to combine.
  • Pour in chicken broth, cover ad cook on high 4 hours.
  • Whisk together cornstarch and water to form a slurry. Stir slurry into soup.
  • Gently stir in cream, recover and cook another 20-30 minutes until soup has thickened.
  • Fold in chicken pieces cooking another 10-15 minutes until warmed through.
  • Serve warm with Parmesan Cheddar biscuits.
  • Garnish with green onions, bacon pieces and shredded cheese.

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CABBAGE ROLL SOUP aka WAGON WHEEL SOUP aka WINTER SOUP updated

Years ago my niece “renamed” or “nicknamed” my winter soup to Wagon Wheel because I used a round pasta that resembled wagon wheels.  Whatever you call this soup, it’s a hearty rib-sticking soup that makes you want to sop up the very last drop with a warm bread.

CABBAGE ROLL SOUP aka WAGON WHEEL SOUP/STEW
1 1/2 pounds coarse ground hamburger, ground pork or combination of both
1 cup cooked rice or uncooked pasta of your choice
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 large Vidalia onion, FINELY chopped
2 cups V-8 juice
8 ounces tomato sauce
2 cans original Rotel tomatoes with juice
+/- 8 ounces beef broth
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
FRESH ground salt and pepper, to taste
1 small head cabbage, chopped

  • In a large dutch oven, brown hamburger.
  • Drain hamburger in colander over a paper plate and paper toweling to catch grease.
  • Add onion and garlic to dutch oven, sautéing until soft and fragrant.
  • Add V-8, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes and broth, stirring to blend.
  • Salt and pepper to taste.
  • Simmer over low heat 1-2 hours.
  • Add cabbage and simmer 1 hour more.
  • Add  pasta and simmer 20 minutes more until pasta is tender or add cooked rice and simmer 5 minutes until rice is heated through.

NOTE: If you like it thinner like soup, add more broth.

ORIGINAL POSTINGS: CML 1-20-2015, 1-28-2018 SKT 1-20-2015 3SOC much earlier, but no longer accessible

BRAISED PORK POSOLE + WEEKNIGHT SHORT CUT

Pozole or Posole can be prepared in many ways, but all variations include a base of cooked hominy in broth. Hominy is produced from dried maize (corn) kernels.

Typically pork, or sometimes chicken, is included in the base. The traditional spelling with the “z” is the Mexican spelling and the Americanized spelling is usually with the “s”.

The three main types of pozole are white, green and red. White pozole is the preparation without any additional green or red sauce. Green pozole adds a rich sauce based on green ingredients including tomatillos, cilantro, jalapeños or pipits. Red pozole is made by adding a red sauce made from a combination of chiles like ancho, piquin or guajillos.

BRAISED PORK POSOLE + WEEKNIGHT SHORT CUT
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon Mexican Oregano
2 teaspoons FRESH ground sea salt
1 4 pound boneless pork shoulder, cut into 7-8 pieces
2 tablespoons avocado oil
8 cups chicken broth (I like homemade bone broth)
7-8 Chiles de Arbol, stemmed (seeded if you like)
1 large white onion, chopped
5-6 cloves garlic, minced
1 14.5 ounce can fire roasted diced tomatoes
1 large can white hominy, chopped (you don’t have to chop this if you like the large pieces – we don’t though so I chop them smaller)
1-2 cans white shopeg corn

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Whisk together the cumin, oregano and sea salt.
  • Rub pork with seasoning mix, pressing into the meat.
  • In a large dutch oven (cast iron if you have it), heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium heat.
  • Sear pork on all sides until browned.
  • Add 1 cup of the broth.
  • Cover and bake 2 hours.

 

  • Remove pork from broth and strain liquid, discarding solids and skimming fat from the top.
  • Shred pork with 2 forks.
  • Add chiles to the now empty pan and cook over medium heat until they puff up.
  • Transfer chiles to blender and add 2 cups of broth. Process until smooth.

 

  • Add remaining oil to the pan.
  • Add onion and garlic, stirring occasionally until tender.
  • Add pork, reserved cooking broth, pureed chiles, tomatoes, shoepeg corn, chopped hominy and remaining broth.
  • Simmer 45-60 minutes.
  • Garnish as desired.

GARNISHES:
chopped avocado
shredded cheese
chopped cilantro
chopped green onions
sour cream

WEEKNIGHT SHORT CUT

  • Substitute the pork for shredded rotisserie chicken. This step saves 2 1/2 hours!
  • Substitute the individual spices for a Taco Bell Pork Carnitas or Carne Asada seasoning package.

CREAMY RUSTIC TOMATO SOUP with GRILLED CHEESE ROLL-UPS

CREAMY RUSTIC TOMATO SOUP with GRILLED CHEESE ROLL-UP DIPPERS

ROASTED TOMATO MIX
2 large zuchinni peeled and slices
8 cups tomatoes (I used garden grown Roma, Cherry and Blue Indigo tomatoes)
1 bulb garlic, peeled and sliced
1 large bunch green onions, halved and roughly sliced diagonally

CREAMY RUSTIC TOMATO SOUP
3 cups chicken broth
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
1/3 cup chopped Italian parsley
2 tablespoons chopped FRESH Basil
2 tablespoons chopped FRESH Oregano
1/2-1 cup heavy cream

GRILLED CHEESE ROLL-UP DIPPERS
12 egg roll wrappers
12 Tillamook medium cheddar cheese snack sticks
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 stick butter
1/2 cup avocado or canola oil

  • Start cheese stick on the corner of the egg roll wrapper and roll cheese stick twice.
  • Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and wrap 2 more times folding in the corners as necessary.
  • Brush remaining open edges with water and continue rolling until well sealed.
  • Heat butter and oil (1/2 inch deep) to 375˚.
  • Fry sticks a few at a time until golden brown all the way around.
  • Drain on paper towels.

CHILI STUFFED ZUCCHINI BOATS

CHILI STUFFED ZUCCHINI BOATS serves 6
6 medium zucchini or 3 LARGE, depending on type
2 tablespoons avocado oil
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1 3/4 pounds QUALITY ground beef
1 small onion, chopped
1 poblano chile pepper, seeded and chopped small
1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
3 tablespoons QUALITY tomato paste
1 cup tomato sauce
3/4 cup chicken stock
1 handful cilantro, chopped
1 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese
Sour cream, for garnish
Green onions, chopped for garnish
Chopped Cilantro, for garnish

  • Preheat oven to 400°.
  • Cover baking sheet with foil or spray with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Wash zucchini and cut off ends.
  • Cut zucchini in half and remove seeds to hollow out centers.
  • Spread oil on zucchini and sprinkle with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Place zucchini on baking sheet. Set aside while you prepare chili.

 

  • Heat oil in large cast iron skillet.
  • Add ground beef to brown. Drain off excess grease.
  • Add onions, chili powder, cumin, cayenne, garlic powder, salt and pepper to taste. Cook 4-5 minutes until onions soften.
  • Whisk together tomato paste, chicken stock and tomato sauce.
  • Add tomato mixture to meat, stirring to combine and cooking 8-10 minutes until VERY thick.
  • Stir in cilantro.
  • Fill zucchini boats with chili and sprinkle with cheese.
  • Cover with foil and bake 15-20 minutes.
  • Uncover and bake 10-15 minutes more until cheese is golden.
  • Top with sour cream, green onions and cilantro.

INSTA POT BROCCOLI CHEESE SOUP

This is a super creamy comfort food bowl of soup!  Don’t forget to add some Antique cornbread or some yummy beer bread.

INSTA POT BROCCOLI CHEESE SOUP
4 cups chopped broccoli florets
3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 1/2 cups (1 large onion) diced onions
1 cup diced (2 medium) carrots
1 cup diced (2 stalks) celery
5 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons salted butter
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
Paprika, for garnish
shredded cheddar cheese, for garnish

  • Select the saute mode for medium heat.
  • Add butter and stir until melted.
  • Add diced onions, carrots, and celery, cooking for about 5 minutes until onions are soft, stirring frequently.
  • Turn off the saute mode.
  • Add chopped broccoli and 2 cups of water, and stir.
  • Secure the lid and seal the vent.
  • Cook for 5 minutes at high pressure, immediately followed by a manual pressure release.
  • Uncover and select the saute mode.
  • Add heavy cream and garlic, and stir.
  • Gradually add shredded cheddar cheese, stirring in until melted and well-mixed.
  • Turn off the saute mode.
  • Add salt and pepper to taste.
  • Serve in bowls, top with additional shredded cheddar and sprinkle with paprika for garnish.