SOUP Recipes

By popular demand: here are two more of the Soup recipes from the Earth Day Empty Bowls event  - more will be posted as I get them. (There was one recipe in the previous post, and all of them are also currently pinned to the bulletin board in our studio.)
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Deb's Minestrone Soup

Hi there ~ this recipe is so simple it's almost embarrassing... but as requested here you go:

1 lb. Italian sausage cooked and drained of fat, then chopped into small pieces
2 pkgs. dry Knorr Vegetable Soup Mix, with 4 cups water
2 cans diced tomatoes with garlic, basil and oregano
1 pkg. frozen spinach
1 cup wine
1 Tlbsp. white vinegar

optional extra additions:
chopped garlic
any and all vegi's you have in the fridge.
red beans
any cooked pasta (just before serving)

Bring to a boil, then cook at medium high for at least 20 minutes. Ready in approx. 20 minutes.

That's the basic recipe. It's all about the doctoring that makes a difference...

top with parmesan and serve with a good crusty bread and viola' - Enjoy!

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Sandy's White Chili with Chicken

• 2 cans (15 ounces each) Great Northern Beans, or use fresh cooked beans, drained & rinsed
  • (I used White Cannellini Beans – They are white kidney beans)
• 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup chopped onion
• ½ teaspoon ground white pepper  (add more if needed before adding chicken)
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tbsp. dried oregano
• 1 tbsp. ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp. ground cloves
• 1 (7 oz.) can diced green chilies  (I used ½ can of the mild chilies)
• 5 c. diced cooked chicken breast
• 1 to 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 small finely chopped jalapeno or serrano pepper (optional)

Optional condiments:

• shredded Monterey Jack cheese or Mexican cheese blend
• sliced black olives
• shredded lettuce
• chunky salsa, purchased or homemade
• sour cream
• guacamole

CROCKPOT METHOD PREPARATION
In slow cooker, combine beans, 1 1/2 cups chicken broth, garlic, onion, white pepper, salt, oregano, cumin, cloves. Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 6 hours. Stir occasionally.
 
Stir in green chilies, chicken and 1 cup chicken broth. If more broth is desired, add more chicken broth. For hotter taste, add diced jalapeno or serrano pepper. Cover and simmer for 1 hour.

STOVE TOP METHOD PREPARATION
Sauté onions.  Add garlic, white pepper, salt, oregano, cumin and cloves. Cook together a couple of minutes. Add beans and chicken broth (about 3-4 cups); cook for about 30 minutes.  
 
Add chicken & green chilies. Cook for about 20 more minutes.      
 
Serve with whatever condiments you like and warmed flour tortillas.  Or serve over brown rice. Serves 4 to 6.