09.09.09

Another Tasty Soup

Posted in beef, soup at 12:00 am

This was another simple soup that I learned to make years ago. It is satisfying and simple. Give it a try.

 

Beef Barley Soup:

1 pound lean chuck beef cut into cubes

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

2 large sweet onions,  chopped

1 package fresh sliced mushrooms

3 large carrots peeled and sliced

2 medium potatoes peeled and cubed

2/3 cup barley

8 cups beef broth (may be canned)

1 cup tomato juice

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 package frozen peas, thawed

 

Heat the olive oil in a stock pot over a medium heat.Add the beef and the onions, saute’ until beef is brown.About 7 to 10 minutes. Remove from the pan. Add the mushrooms to the pan drippings and saute’ for about 5 minutes stirring often.Return the onions and beef to the pot.Add the carrot,celery and potatoes . Add the tomato juice and broth. Cook for 20 minutes partially covered for 20 minutes. Add the barley and cook for 25 more minutes partially cover or until the beef and barley are tender. Add the peas and cook uncovered for about 4 minutes or until peas are heated. Remove from the stove and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Hope ya’ll give this soup a try and let me know what ya’ll think of it.

09.08.09

Fall is approaching fast

Posted in soup at 7:00 pm

The evenings are getting cooler and the days shorter. It is almost the time of the year when a bowl of homemade soup will take the chill off. So I am sharing with ya’ll a few of my simplest and quickest soup recipes. Hope ya’ll give them a try.

 

 

Mom’s quick and easy Tomato Soup:

2 cups tomato juice
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 quart milk
3 tablespoons butter

1/4 teaspoon celery seed optional
dash pepper

Heat tomato juice to boiling. When boiling add baking soda and stir quickly because mixture will foam. Remove from heat. Meanwhile, heat milk, but do not boil. Add salt,celery seed, pepper and butter. When milk is hot, add tomato mixture to it. Serve soup with crackers. I have on occasion added chunks of my fresh canned tomatoes for added texture and flavor to the soup.

 

This is another one of my mom’s favorite soup. It is extremely simple and delish.

 

Mom’s Best Potato Soup:

 

3 medium potatoes peeled and cubed

1 carrot peeled and sliced

1 small onion peeled and chopped

1 celery stalk washed and chopped

2 large salt free containers of chicken broth

salt and pepper to taste

1/4 cup milk

flour enough to thicken soup. I usually use 2 or 3 tablespoons

2 tablespoons butter

Place chicken broth into stock pot add the first four ingredients. Boil over a medium heat till all vegetables are soft. Reduce heat, simmer on low.  Combine milk and flour. Stir to get all the lumps out.  Add the milk and flour mixture to the soup. Continue to simmer till it reaches the thickness you desire.(may need to add a little more flour but not to much). Add butter. Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot with crackers.

Game Night Dips

Posted in appetizers, dips at 12:00 am

 

This is a collection of dips that I use for mine and Tim’s football get together’s. I hope you find something that you can use and that you give them a try and let me know what ya’ll think.

 

Low Fat Guacamole Dip:

1 cup low-fat cottage cheese

1 tablespoon grated sweet onion or 1-1/2 teaspoons dried onion flakes

1 clove garlic, minced, or 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon salt

Pinch of cayenne pepper

2 teaspoons lemon juice

1 ripe avocado, peeled and cut in chunks

1 tomato, peeled and chopped

 

Place cottage cheese, onion, garlic, salt, cayenne pepper, lemon juice, and avocado in a food processor or heavy-duty blender. Process until smooth. Pour into serving dish and fold in chopped tomato. Cover with plastic wrap, making sure the plastic touches the entire surface of the dip ( this is done to help prevent browning), and refrigerate for 2 hours.

 

Creamy Onion Dip:

1 cup dairy sour cream
8 ounces softened cream cheese
3tablespoon onion soup mix
2 tablespoons fresh, snipped parsley

Thoroughly combine sour cream, mayonnaise or salad dressing, onion soup mix and parsley. Cover; chill until serving time. Serve with your choice of chips or crackers.