split pea soup

*more about this recipe here*

Ingredients: 2 cloves garlic, minced, 2 stalks celery, chopped, 1 3/4 cups dried split peas, 1 bay leaf, 2 carrots, chopped, 3 potatoes, peeled and cubed, 1 onion, chopped, 3 tablespoons olive oil, 2 cans chicken broth, 2 ounces diced ham, 2 teaspoons dried chervil, salt and pepper to taste.

1. Saute the garlic, onion and celery in olive oil for 5 minutes, or until onion is translucent. Add peas, broth, bay leaf and ham. Cook on low heat 3-4 hours until peas are soft.

2. Once the peas are soft, stir in the potatoes, carrots and chervil and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add water as needed to adjust the thickness of the soup.

Original recipe here.

Taco Soup
1 pound ground meat (I used hamburger)
1 can red beans, kidney beans, black beans
1 can mexican tomatoes
2 can low sodium v-8 juice
1 onion
16 oz of corn (frozen or canned)
1 tsp garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, parsley
Tortilla chips
Sour cream
Cheddar cheese

Cook meat mix in spices with cooking meat. Put everything in the insert and cook until hot.
To serve: put chips around out side of bowl, pour soup in center, top with sour cream and cheese (unless your like me then leave the last two off ;)
A good fast meal for getting to church on time! :)

Yum!

Black Bean Soup

3 Cans organic black beans
1 Can organic Italian stewed tomatoes
2 Cups homemade chicken or veggie broth
2 dashes hot sauce (we like adobe mills best)
1 1/2 Cups veggies (whatever you have on hand... or use leftovers from several meals)

Empty all in crock pot, don't rinse or drain anything.
Cook 8-10 hours on LOW or 5-6 hours on HIGH.

Before serving blend everything with a mixer or blender.

Serve with homemade Cuban rye bread and sliced veggies.

This is how I make my creamy tomato soup.
2 Tbs. butter
2 Tbs. Flour
1 Cup Liquid (I use rice milk)
1 sm. Can Tomato Paste
Molasses or honey to taste (this takes the tangy out and helps mellow the acid taste in the tomatoes)

Melt butter in pan. Add Flour, brown on medium while stirring constantly. Slowly add liquid (milk) cook on medium stirring constantly until thick (gravy consistence). Then add tomato paste and sweetener. Stir until hot... if this is to thick add more of the liquid.