Ham & Bean Soup

1 ham bone, with meat
1 (16 ounce) package 15 bean soup (season packet discarded), soaked overnight
1 medium onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, sliced
3 carrots, sliced
2 bay leaves
8 cups water

In 5 qt dutch oven combine the beans, onion, celery, carrots, bay leaves, and water. Add ham bone (if there's not much meat on the bone you may want to add some additional diced ham). Cover with tight fitting lid and bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer on low for 6 hours.

Add salt after its finished cooking to taste. I didn't need to add any to mine as the ham was quite salty.

Serve with corn muffins or cheddar biscuits.

Chili

I've made several pots of chili this winter and have been tweaking my other recipes to come up with just the right proportions. This is my latest, and best, revision. Hope you enjoy. :)

2 1/2 lbs lean ground beef
1 green pepper, chopped
1 med onion, chopped
1 large (28 ounce) can petite diced tomatoes
1 1/2 cups tomato sauce
2 (15 ounce) cans red beans
3 T chili powder
1 T ground cumin
1/2 T beef crystals (bullion)
1 quart water
salt & pepper to taste

Brown ground beef in 4-5 quart dutch oven. Drain. Add chopped vegetables and saute with meat until they are softened and onions are translucent. Add remaining ingredients and simmer all day (at least 8 hours).

Baked Potato Soup

Baked Potato Soup

1/4 cup butter or margarine
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can chicken broth
1 (12-ounce) can NESTLÉ® CARNATION® Evaporated Milk
1 cup milk
2 large or 3 medium baking potatoes, baked or microwaved
Salt and ground black pepper to taste
4 strips bacon
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
3 tablespoons sliced green onion

Cook bacon in large saucepan. Set cooked bacon aside and discard grease. Melt butter in same saucepan over medium heat. Add onion; cook for 1 to 2 minutes or until tender. Stir in flour. Gradually stir in broth, evaporated milk, and milk.

Meanwhile, scoop potato pulp from one potato; mash. Add pulp to broth mixture. Dice remaining potato and add to soup. (Skins can be cut into small pieces and added to the soup if desired.) Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until mixture just comes to a boil. Reduce heat to low-simmer. Simmer to desired consistency. Stir in half the shredded cheese.

Top each serving with crumbled bacon, remaining cheese and green onion.

Makes 4 servings

Chicken Stew

This is my "poultry" version of beef stew. Hope you enjoy!

2 1/2 lbs boneless chicken breast
2 cans sliced carrots
2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 can chicken broth
4 tsp Wyler's Chicken Crystals (bullion)
4 cups water
salt & pepper to taste
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup water
olive oil

In a dutch oven over medium-high heat, heat olive oil; add chicken and saute until meat is no longer pink; remove chicken from pan and cut into bite-size pieces; return chicken to pan and add the carrots, potatoes, broth, bullion, 4 cups water, and salt and pepper; bring to a boil; reduce heat, cover and simmer for 30 minutes.

Combine cornstarch and 1/2 cup water in small bowl; mix well until cornstarch is dissolved; immediately add cornstarch mixture to stew; stir well until sauce is thickened.

Serve over biscuits or mashed potatoes.

8 Servings

Crockpot Chili

Crockpot Chili

2 1/2 pounds Ground beef
1 can (29) oz of tomato sauce
1 can (29) oz of kidney beans w/liquid
1 medium onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
2 medium tomatoes, chopped (I use one 15 ounce can petite diced tomatoes)
1 1/2 - 2 tablespoons chili powder (you can use up to 3 T depending on how spicy you like it)
1 tablespoon cumin powder
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups water
olive oil

Saute onion and green bell pepper in olive oil until onions are translucent; transfer to 5 quart crockpot. In same skillet, brown ground beef and crumble into bite size pieces, drain; transfer to crockpot. Add all remaining ingredients to crockpot. Cook on high for 8 to 10 hours.

Incredibly Easy Potato Soup

Incredibly Easy Potato Soup

4 slices bacon
1/4 cup sliced green onions
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 can (10 1/2 oz.) chicken broth
2 cup water
1 (13 oz.) can evaporated milk or 2 cups heavy cream
1.5 cups instant mashed potato flakes
salt & pepper to taste

Cut bacon in small pieces. Fry in large saucepan until crisp. Remove bacon from pan and set aside. Pour excess grease from pan. Add chicken broth and water; bring to a boil. Remove from heat and gradually stir in potato flakes, blending until smooth. Add salt and pepper, then stir in milk. Heat to serving temperature. Do not boil. Garnish each serving with onion, bacon, and cheese to taste.

Pop Pop's Chili

Pop Pop's Best Chili

2 lbs ground beef
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 med onion, chopped
2 15 oz. cans red beans (or light red kidney beans)
1 15 oz. can petite diced or crushed tomatoes
1 small can tomato paste
1 t cumin
2 T chili powder
2 cups water

Brown ground beef in 4-5 quart dutch oven. Drain. Add chopped vegetables and saute with meat until they are softened and onions are translucent. Add remaining ingredients and simmer all day (at least 6-8 hours). Serve with saltines, cheese, chopped green onion, sour cream, or any other favorite chili toppings.

Of course chili always tastes better the second day. I usually sneak one bowl for myself then let it cool and then reheat it for the next night's family dinner. :)

Mom & Cyndi's Beef Stew

2 lbs stew meat
1 can beef stock
1 can water*
2 t beef crystals* (I use Wylers in the jar)
1 can of peas
1 can of carrots
2 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 t browning sauce
salt & pepper to taste
olive oil (approx 1/4 cup)
flour (approx 1/4 cup)

In a dutch oven over medium-high heat, heat olive oil; add beef, sprinkle flour over beef and stir; saute until meat is browned. Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil; reduce heat, cover and simmer for 2 hrs or until meat is tender and sauce is thickened.

*The water and beef crystals may be substituted with another can of stock, but I feel the beef crystals add that extra little "something."