Soup week

Since it has been so super cold this week I declared it Soup Week and have made soup every day. 

Monday: Bacon and potato soup
Totally cheated a used a can of Potato soup (which isn't nearly as yummy as homemade but I just didn't have time...) and cooked bacon in the oven and then crumbled it over the soup with cheese.

Tuesday: Roast beef stew
We had a roast on Sunday night so I used the leftover roast and a packet of beef stew seasonings along with potato's and carrots.  It was a knock-off brand and was good, except it tasted very rosemary-ish to me.  But it was easy and tasted good.

Wednesday: Chicken and dumplings
I make this like a thick chicken stew and is one of my favorite dishes to make.  Put in like 4 tablespoons of butter into a pan and fry up the potato's and carrots (and onions and celery if you happen to have some on hand).  Season with salt, pepper, and garlic salt, and add one cup water and one cup chicken broth.  Use canned chicken, or cook some chicken up and add it when its done.  Cover and let simmer for 15 minutes or so.  Then add the dumplings (cup of flour, 4 tablespoons butter, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon baking powder- combine and mush, or "cut" butter into the dry ingredients until crumbly.  Add milk until it is thin enough to pour then add to the pan- make sure you don't dump too much into one spot or it will be doughy in the middle) and cover for another 5-8 minutes, then uncover for about 3-4 minutes.  So yummy.

Thursday: White chili
3 cans white beans, drained (I use great Northern)
3 boneless chicken breasts, cooked and torn into bite-sized chunks
1 T. olive oil
2 med. onions, chopped finely
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 (4 oz.) cans chopped green chilies
2 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
4 c. chicken broth
Monterey Jack cheese, grated
sour cream, for garnish
Cook chicken and tear up. Saute' onions in oil till transparent. Stir in garlic, chilies, cumin, cayenne pepper, oregano and cloves. Saute for 2-3 minutes. Add chicken, beans, broth and cheese. Let simmer for 15 min. Ladle into bowls and top with cheese. Serve with side of sour cream and extra cheese.
This is one of my favorites as well- so good.

Friday: Tortilla Soup
1 can chicken, 1 can black beans, 1 can corn, 1 can diced tomatoes, 1 can chicken broth, 1 package tortilla seasoning. don't drain any of the cans, just dump 'em all in, cook to boiling (though a lot of times I just cook it until its just hot enough), add cheese, chips, sour cream, avocado, whatever you want.
I haven't tried this recipe yet but it sounds super yummy and easy.

Saturday: Zupa Tuscana Soup (Olive Garden knock off)
1 lb Italian Sausage (spicy if you prefer more heat)
7-9 slices of bacon
6-8 medium russet potatoes
2 c kale, chopped
1 c heavy whipping cream
1 qt water
2 cans of chicken broth
1/2 large onion
2-3 cloves of garlic, minced
2 tsp red pepper flakes (be careful if you don't like it too hot)
Salt and pepper

Slice the potatoes between 1/8" and 1/4". I used the thick setting on my mandolin. Just make the slices about the same size so they cook evenly.  Dice up the onion and mince the garlic.  Throw the potatoes, onion, garlic, chicken broth, and water into a large pot on medium heat until the potatoes are cooked through.
Prepare the kale by chopping into bite sized pieces. Kale is wonderful for soups because it holds up to the heat so well. It's also delicious!
Add the sausage, bacon, red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper to taste.  Simmer for another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
During this time the potatoes will start breaking apart into smaller bite sized pieces because they are so tender.Turn the heat to low and add in the kale and heavy cream. Let the soup heat through and serve. We like to serve this soup with some grated Parmesan cheese on top. Delicious!
I haven't tried this recipe either, and since it has a little more involvement I'm planning it on a Saturday so that Chase can watch the kids so I don't mess it up. :)  Chase got this from a co-worker and said it smelled and looked delicious so hopefully I'll be able to meet his expectations...

So now I have to figure out what I'm going to have for dinner next week.