Chilli Blanco

I love this 'white chilli', it is just the right blend of chilli flavor, spice and white beans. Don't forget to soak the beans overnight, it will really make a difference in how the beans cook and break down.

6 cups chicken stock

1 pound great northern beans (soaked in water overnight)

2 medium Spanish onions, chopped

6 cups diced cooked chicken

2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and diced

2 diced chili peppers

1 1/2 teaspoon oregano

2 teaspoons cumin

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup salsa

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Salt to taste

Sour cream (optional garnish)

Monterey Jack cheese (optional garnish)

Directions:

Simmer beans, half the onions, and half the garlic for 2 hours in the chicken

stock or until the beans soften, stirring frequently. Add chicken and salsa.

Saute pepper, spices, and the remaining onions and garlic in the oil and add to

the chili. Simmer for one more hour.

Garnish with sour cream or Monterey Jack cheese.

Broccoli Soup

This is one of my first ever copy cat recieps.  Here in the midwest we used to have a restaurant called Rax.  They served a Broccoli Soup on their salad bar that my son would beg for.  Being a young mother with 2 small kids the budget was tight so I set out to make this at home.  My son may have grown up but, even at the ripe old age of 26 there are times he still begs for Broccoli Soup.

2 Large Heads of Broccoli

2 Cans Chicken Broth

2 Cans of Water

1 pint heavy cream

4 tbls butter

4 tbls flour

Shredded Cheddar cheese

Cut up broccoli into medium sized pieces. 

Add 2 cans chicken broth and 2 cans of water to a large pot add ¾ of the broccoli and bring to a boil and let broccoli get mushy.  Whisk to break up broccoli until it is all incorporated.  Add remaining broccoli and boil until it is fork tender.

Add heavy cream, salt and pepper to taste.

In a sauce pan melt butter add flour cook until brown, add the soup a little at a time to the thickened flour until it begins to incorporate then add it to the pot.

Garnish with shredded cheddar cheese.

Pot Pie Soup

2 Hungry Man all white meat chicken pot pies.

1 Family Size Can- Cream of Chicken soup

Enough Milk to fill the empty soup can

Cook the pot pies in the microwave and cook them about 4-5 minutes longer than the directions requires… you want NO soggy crust on those pies

Empty the contents of the Cream of Chicken Soup into a large pot and add 1 can of milk. Whisk to incorporate and heat through.

When pot pies are done add them to the soup and break them up a little, let it simmer for a couple of minutes – eat 

Canadian Cheese Soup

1/2 C. Butter

1 C. Carrots 1/8 inch cubes
1/4 C. Flour
1 C. Onions
1/2 C. Celery 1/8 inch cubes
2 Tbsp. Flour
3 C. Chicken Broth
3 C. Half and Half
2 lbs. Velveeta
1 Tbsp. Fresh Parsley

Melt butter in a Dutch oven. Add the carrots, onions and celery all at once. And saute until soft but not brown. Add flour and stir to combine. Cook until mixture begins to turn a light-brown color. Over medium high heat, add the chicken broth a little at a time. Stir and continue to cook and stir with a whisk until a thick base is formed. Add half and half being careful not to let boil. Add cheese, stirring until melted. Just before serving add parsley. Garnish with diced tomatoes and jalapenos if desired.

Pumpkin Soup

6 c	pumpkin, peeled and cubed
3 c	chicken broth, low salt
4 Tbsp	butter
6 Tbsp	chopped onion
1/2 tsp	dried marjoram
1/4 tsp	ground black pepper
dash	cayenne pepper
4 oz	cream cheese

Directions

In a large heavy pot, saute onions in butter until tender. Add Pumpkin, broth, marjoram, black pepper and dash of cayenne pepper (be careful..a little goes a long way!..if you like hot spicy..then add up to 1/8 tsp. Me, I only do a dash) Bring to boil; cook 20 minutes, or until squash is tender. DO NOT remove any liquid.

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Puree pumpkin mixture and cream cheese in blender or food processor in batches until smooth. Return to saucepan, and heat through. Do not allow to boil. When serving place into bowl and use a decorator's tip and swirl a small amount of softened cream cheese on top of soup...if desired.

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**You can cut pumpkin in half, place skin side up in oven set at 375 degrees for about 1/2 hour or so. It helps with getting the skin off easily, as well as cutting into cubes. Cooking time on top of stove won't be as long if squash is baked first...use your judgement when doing it this way.