Black Bean Soup

I used a fairly usually black bean soup recipe and added some Chorizo I make. Instead of adding the bacon that the recipe called for I used Chorizo , this made a rather spicy but good soup. You can either eat as a soup or spoon it out and sever over rice.

Pre-soak a 10 oz. package of black beans over nigh or use the quick method.

Saute 2 cloves garlic, 2 ribs celery, and a 1/2 red bell pepper , chopped.

Place the soaked beans, and
1/2 teaspoon salt,
1 1/2 teaspoon oregano,
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon thyme
3 quarts chicken broth
2 tablespoons cilantro

Cook on low heat until beans are tender.

Serve as a soup or drained over rice.

Old-Fashioned Chicken Soup

This is a basic chicken noodle soup. Great for snowy days and days you are under the weather. It really does not require an recipe but for the first time it is good to have an ideas of what should be cooked first. I also If you are able to find a stewing hen they have more flavor but are less tender. I added two teaspoons of instant chicken bouillon to make the soup more flavorful since I used some frying chicken thighs. This is actually a good budget recipe use use the chicken parts you can find on sale in the market.. You can use any type of noodle you prefer I used Alphabet noodles I got form the Hispanic section of the local grocery store.


4 lb chicken
1 each onion, sliced
1 each bay leaf
1 single salt & pepper
3 quart water, cold
1 each carrot, sliced
1 cup celery, sliced
1 teaspoon parsley

Wash and clean chicken carefully; cut in pieces. Cover with the cold water. Add the seasoning and let simmer for 3 hours or until chicken is tender. Remove chicken and cut into pieces. Discard bay leaf. Skim off fat. Bring broth to boiling. Stir in the carrots, celery and noodles and simmer until noodles are tender but still firm. add Stir in chicken and parsley.

Simple Split Pea Soup

Simple Split Pea Soup, originally uploaded by Lakenvelder.

Just a simple crock pot made Spit pea using the leftover bone from Christmas. It is a nice wholesome main dish that's ideal fo a cold day. If you would like the soup thicker adjust the liquid .

Left over ham bone or 2 ham hocks
5 cups water or 3 cups stockbroth and 2 cups water
1 celery cut into slices
2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
1 package split peas (10 oz.
Salt to taste
Pepper, to taste

In a slow cooker combine all the ingredients Cover and cook on high for 6 hours or low for up to 10 hours.

Makes about 8 servings.

Potato Soup

Potato Soup, originally uploaded by Lakenvelder.

It was the first snow the winter today . When it gets cold soups and stews are a great meal. I felt like haivng something simple, warm for lunch today and potato soup is one of my favorites. Boy. did it hit the spot.


Ingredients:

3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
1 onion sliced or onion powder
1 teaspoon salt
dash pepper

Cook the potaotes until tender.

Heat in the saucepan:
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon flour

to brown stirring constantly.

Add:

3 cups liquid drained from the Potatoes

Cook and stir until smooth. Add potaotes and onions. I like to blend until smooth. Sprinkle with parsley.

Green Chili Stew (American Indian)

2 pounds pork, mutton, lamb or beef, cut into small pieces
3 ears corn (scrape kernels from cob) or about 3 cups frozen or canned corn
3 stalks celery, diced
3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
2 medium tomatoes, diced
5 roasted green chiles, peeled, seeded and diced

Brown meat in large pot. Add remaining ingredients along with water to make a stew consistency. Cover pot and simmer for approximately 1 hour.