Category Archives: SOUP, STEW, AND CHOWDER RECIPES

CHICKEN AND DUMPLING SOUP

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Whenever I think of my grandmother, I think about dumplings. In many regards she was not a very good cook. But that woman could make chicken and dumplings fit for a God. Maybe it was because she started with a home grown chicken that had just been butchered. So of course the chicken stew part was amazing. But what she did to create light as a feather dumplings will forever remain a secret. Which is truly sad. But Betty Crocker, bless her heart, taught me how to make dumplings that are almost as delicious as my grandmothers. So today I am going to share with you this wonderful, decades-old recipe for dumplings that are not gut bombs. (If you like the kind of dumplings that resemble thick chewy pasta you aren’t going to like these dumplings. Sorry.)

Over the years I have messed with this recipe a bit, but only when it comes to adding a different herb or two to compliment whatever dish I am preparing. And since this soup calls for thyme and parsley, I thought the dumplings should also contain this lovely combination of flavors.

And why soup to begin with you might ask. Well, in case you haven’t noticed, it’s cold outside. And when the weather turns chilly I immediately think comfort food. And if there is any dish more comforting than chicken soup, I’d be pleased to know your thoughts on the subject. But I had a problem to work out with this recipe.

I had never made a soup that was topped with dumplings. I had only topped stews with dumplings because you need a fairly thick broth to support the dumplings as they steam. So in working out this recipe, I thickened the chicken broth enough to allow the dumpling batter to remain on the surface.

So I hope you enjoy this tasty quint essential comfort food. It is absolutely perfect on a dark, cold, rainy day. And we in the Pacific Northwest get our fair share of days like that! So make soup. It’s a perfect defense against inclement weather. Plus it’s good for what ails you. (Whatever that means!) Enjoy

Soup:

4 T. (½ stick) unsalted butter  

2 lg. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into ½-inch cubes

1 sm. onion, chopped  

4 celery stalks plus leaves, thinly sliced

2 lg. carrots, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

½ tsp. dry mustard

gently rounded ¼ tsp. dry thyme leaves   

2 bay leaves

½ tsp. kosher salt

freshly ground black pepper  

8 c. (2 qt.) chicken stock

6 T. all-purpose flour

¼ c. chopped parsley

½ c. frozen petite peas

In a large covered pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the cubed chicken and sauté until cooked through. Remove from pan and set aside.

Add onion, celery, and carrots to the pan. Cook for 8–10 minutes. Stir occasionally. Add the garlic and cook for a couple of minutes. (Don’t let the garlic get brown.)

Stir in the dry mustard, thyme, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Let cook for about a minute.   Add the chicken stock. Bring to a boil. Cover the pan, lower the heat, and simmer the stock for 15 minutes. Remove bay leaf.

In a small bowl whisk the flour with a couple ladles of the broth making sure there are no lumps. Gently stir the slurry into the stock and allow to cook for several minutes or until thick and creamy. (It won’t be supper thick, just thick enough to support the dumpling batter.) Then stir in the parsley, peas, and cooked chicken. Adjust seasoning. Cook for about 3 minutes or until all the ingredients are hot and the soup is gently simmering.

Using a spoon or ice cream scoop, drop dumpling balls into the soup.  The dumplings will double in size while they cook, so make them as big or small as you wish.

Cook dumplings at a slow simmer for 10 minutes with pan uncovered. Then cover the pot and simmer for about 10 more minutes or until the dumplings are cooked through. (Make sure you don’t peek while the dumplings are cooking for the second 10 minutes. They need to steam in order to be nice and fluffy and lifting the lid will release the steam.) To check if the dumplings are ready, use a toothpick to test if the dumplings are cooked through. Then serve the soup immediately.

Please note: If you are lucky enough to have left-over baked chicken or turkey, use it. Just add the cooked meat when called for in the recipe.   

Dumplings:

1 egg

¼ c. plus 2 T. whole milk

2 T. veggie oil

1 c. all-purpose flour

1½ tsp. baking powder   

½ tsp. kosher salt

freshly ground black pepper

¼ tsp. dried thyme leaves  

1 T. finely chopped fresh parsley  

In a bowl whisk the egg, milk, and oil together. In another bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, salt, pepper, thyme, and parsley together. Stir the dry ingredients into the egg mixture just until combined. Do not over-mix.

ASIAN BEEF, VEGETABLE, AND FRIED TOFU SOUP

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So, what to do when housebound because of snow? Well for me the answer is easy! Cook! So that’s just what I have been doing for the last 3 days. And because it’s below freezing outside I decided that soup should still be on the menu.

But we had just finished a big old pot of Flageolet Bean and Ham Soup (on site), so I wanted a soup that was totally different and not coincidentally use some of the beef quarter that has recently taken up residency in our freezer.

And for whatever reason, I have recently been craving Asian food. So I went on line to find an Asian flavored soup starring beef. (Actually not as difficult as I had imagined.)

I knew I had a wonderful recipe for Pho, but I didn’t have all the ingredients on hand. And since our neighbors had reported that the main road between our home and the IGA on Camano Island resembled a not so nicely cared for skating rink, I decided Pho was not going to happen. But Mollie Lee, via the Taste of Home site, provided me with the bones for this wonderful soup that I made last evening. Of course I changed an ingredient here and there, but the basic soup is all Mollies.

So if you too are thinking about soup, but want one that is really different, but really delicious, I recommend this recipe.

1 T. veggie oil, divided

1 lb. sirloin or bottom round steak, cut into ¾-inch cubes

3 c. beef broth

¼ c. dry sherry

¼ c. reduced-sodium Tamari or soy sauce

8 (1 bunch) green onions, thinly sliced, divided

1 T. brown sugar

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 T. minced fresh ginger

2 tsp. sesame oil

scant 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper

1 small carrot, julienned

6 sliced fresh button mushrooms

1 c. sliced bok choy (I used romaine because that’s all I had – worked just fine)

fried tofu (see recipe below)

Heat the vegetable oil in a large saucepan. Add the beef cubes and brown meat on all sides. Add the broth, sherry, Tamari, half of the green onions, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, cayenne, and carrot. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 90 minutes or until the meat cubes are tender. Meanwhile, prepare the tofu.

When the meat is tender, stir in the mushrooms and bok choy; cover and simmer 20 minutes longer or until vegetables are tender.

When ready to serve, place several cubes of tofu in the bottom of each soup bowl. Top with a cup or so of the soup, and garnish with remaining green onion slices.

Fried Tofu:

1 block extra firm tofu

½ c. soy sauce

2 tsp. sesame oil

1 tsp. granulated garlic

1 tsp. Sriracha, or other chili garlic sauce

1 T. veggie oil

Wrap the block of tofu in a clean tea towel. Set something heavy on top to press out extra moisture. Let sit for 20-30 minutes. Unwrap tofu and cut into 32 cubes.

Meanwhile whisk together the soy sauce, sesame oil, granulated garlic, and Sriracha in a shallow dish or pan. Add the tofu cubes, turn the cubes as to coat all the surfaces, and let marinate for about 45 minutes, turning whenever the mood strikes you.

Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the oil and gently place the tofu cubes in the hot oil. Sauté each side until brown and crusty. Remove pan from heat and transfer tofu directly to soup bowls or to wire racks to cool if the soup is not yet ready.

 

BROCCOLI CHEDDAR CHEESE SOUP WITH CROUTONS

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Yesterday was a very pleasant day for us. We began our adventures by attending a Met opera broadcast at the Lincoln Theater in Mount Vernon. Starting time: 9:55 am. (We attend as many of these live movie theater opera transmissions as possible. We also enjoy the broadcasts from the National Theatre in London.)

After leaving the theater we decided to have a small lunch, then hit the French bakery at Terry’s Corner. (I draw the line at baking my own croissants). After that, the grocery store. But before going home, we decided we still had the strength to take a short walk along a couple of the new trails on Barnum Point. (And no, for those of you who don’t have the privilege of living in beautiful NW Washington, it was not raining! It was a beautiful, balmy winter day.) Which leads me, in kind of a roundabout way, to this soup.

All day I had been vaguely thinking about building soup for dinner. But while walking along the trails (very enjoyable I might add) I decided to definitely make soup when I got home. But by the time we actually walked in the door, 4:30 or so, it was a little too late to start a soup that would take 2-3 hours to burble. (Yes I know, I could have used my Instant Pot, but that thing actually still terrifies me!) So I looked in my fridge and pantry and made up my mind. Broccoli cheddar soup would fit the bill nicely!

I went on line and searched my blog for the recipe. (And yes I actually use and follow my own recipes!) Well usually that is. This time I just about gasped out loud when I read the ingredients. Three fourths cup butter. Yikes! (No wonder it was so good!)

So in trying to become a reformed butter over user, I decided to work out a new recipe using less butter, while at the same time keeping the wonderful mouth feel of a truly rich, delicious, and thick soup base.

Thus this recipe. We both proclaimed it not just edible, but very yummy. (And yes, I do realize that cheddar cheese is hardly a low fat ingredient. But if you can show me how to make a wonderful cheddar cheese soup with some type of low-fat replacement product, then please use your super powers to also bring about world peace!)   

Just give this recipe a try next time you are in the mood for a creamy soup. Or use my original recipe (Broccoli Cheddar Cheese Soup) if you have no fat restrictions or are under 17 years of age.

BTW, I will learn to use my Instant Pot. I just need a little more time to get used to the idea that this is a newfangled pressure cooker that is not likely to explode! (Or so they say!)

3 c. small chunks of broccoli flowerets and peeled stems

¼ c. (½ stick) unsalted butter

½ med. onion, chopped

½ c. grated carrot

1 garlic clove, finely minced

¼ tsp. seasoned salt

freshly ground black pepper

¼ c. flour

2 c. milk   

2 c. chicken stock (or veggie stock for vegetarian)

pinch paprika

pinch ground nutmeg

3 c. grated sharp cheddar cheese

Garlic Croutons, opt. (see recipe below)

Steam the broccoli until crisp tender. Remove from heat. Set aside.

Melt the butter in a medium sized heavy sauce pan. Add the onion and carrot; cook slowly until tender, about 10 minutes. Don’t let the onion brown. Add the garlic, seasoned salt, and pepper; cook for about a minute.

Whisk in the flour and cook for a short time. Gradually whisk in the milk and chicken stock. Let simmer for about 20 minutes.

Stir in the cooked broccoli, paprika, and nutmeg. Adjust seasoning. Remove from heat and stir in the cheese. Serve immediately garnished with a few croutons.

Garlic Croutons:

1 T. butter or extra virgin olive oil

2-3 c. cubed crusty, chewy bread

granulated garlic

Melt butter or olive oil in a large sauté pan. Add bread cubes and slowly sauté until crunchy and browned. (This takes upward of 45 minutes, so plan to make croutons when you are working on other dishes and are close at hand.) Stir frequently. When the bread cubes are golden brown and crunchy, lightly sprinkle with granulated garlic. Cool and store in an airtight container.  

INSTANT POT CHILI WITH KIDNEY BEANS AND HATCH CHILES

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OK, so it’s confession time. Dear daughter Paula gave me an Instant Pot last Christmas. And frankly, the sheer thought of a pressure cooker in my very own kitchen scared the heck out of me. But late yesterday afternoon, I decided I wanted to serve chili for dinner.

Now, I’m not one of those people who can’t abide beans in my chili. After all, beans are really, really healthy, plus they taste good, and they’re cheap. But low and behold when I looked in my pantry, there was nary a can of beans. (Please forgive me Mr. Bush.) So I decided to bite the bullet and use my Instant Pot to cook the dry kidney beans that were in my pantry just waiting to be appreciated.

At just about the same time, Paula called me. (That girl’s sense of timing can sometimes be just a bit supernormal.) So I asked her how much water to use for 2 cups of dried beans, plus the length of time needed to produce a tender bean. Now, I actually had used the Instant Pot once in January to cook dried beans, but the result had not been sterling. So with Paula’s timely assistance, I once again decided to risk my life and the well-being of our kitchen.

I am here to tell you, the beans came out perfect! And I didn’t once have to leave the kitchen in fear for my life. The Instant Pot performed just like its instructions said it would. Good Instant Pot!

The rest of the chili I made in my largest Le Creuset pot, because I really like to mess with my food. (I guess I really should have entitled this recipe – Semi Instant Pot Chili, but I think I’ll just let that one pass!) Back to the beans. Adding the perfectly cooked beans when the time came, and in such fast order was really quite nice. As a result, I have decided to try making soup in my Instant Pot. I will let you know how that works out.

In the meantime, give this recipe a try. It’s really very tasty and it comes together with not too much effort. Of course working up the courage to use an Instant Pot takes some effort too. But if this 74 year old pressure cooker phobic lady can do it, you can too. The pressure is now on you!

  • 2 c. dry red kidney beans, or dried beans of choice
  • 4 c. water
  • 4 T. chili powder, divided
  • 1 T. dehydrated onion
  • 1 tsp. granulated garlic
  • 1 T. extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 lb. lean ground beef
  • 1 med. onion, chopped
  • 1 c. chopped celery, including leaves
  • 3 large cloves garlic, minced
  • ¼ c. roughly chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 (28-oz.) can chopped tomatoes (Italian if possible)
  • 1 (6-oz.) can tomato paste (Italian, but of course!)
  • 1 T. dried oregano (I use Mexican oregano)
  • 1 tsp. ground cumin
  • generous dash of ground cloves
  • 1 tsp. paprika
  • 1 tsp. kosher salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp. beef base (I use Better Than Bouillon Beef Base)
  • 3 roasted mild Hatch chiles* seeded and chopped or 1 (4-oz.) can diced green chiles
  • 1 can black olives, drained and halved

Combine the dried beans, water, 1 tablespoon of the chili powder, dehydrated onion, and granulated garlic in the Instant Pot insert. Cook the beans for 35 minutes on the bean/chili setting. (If no bean/chili setting on your instant pot, cook on high heat.)

Meanwhile heat the olive oil in a large, heavy covered pan. Add the ground beef and fry until most of the red is gone. Add the chopped onion, celery, garlic, and parsley. Cook until the onion is tender and the contents of the pan are starting to stick. Stir in the canned tomatoes, plus a half can of water, the tomato paste, plus a full can of water (using the cans to measure and transport the added water helps remove any remaining tomato from the sides and bottom of the cans), remaining 3 tablespoons of chili powder, oregano, cumin, cloves, paprika, salt, pepper, and beef base to the pot.

Bring chili to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and let burble for about 20 minutes, stirring periodically.

When the beans have cooked and the pressure has been released, either by waiting for it to do its own thing, or by manually releasing the pressure, carefully add the beans and any remaining liquid to the rest of the ingredients. Finally stir in the chopped chilies and the black olives.

Put the cover back on and cook for another 10 minutes or so. Adjust seasoning and serve hot. I like to serve the chili with shredded sharp cheddar cheese, sour cream, and cornbread.

*I buy fresh Hatch chilies (the mild variety) when they appear in our local farmers market or this last time I bought them at our local Haggen’s grocery store. Then I simply grill them on my BBQ and freeze them individually on a large baking pan. Once they are frozen, I place them in a freezer bag. When I need them for a recipe, I remove the amount needed, run cold water over them, peel off the skin, and chop off the stem head which contains most of the seeds. Then I chop the rest and use as needed.     

 

CHUNKY ANDOUILLE SAUSAGE, SHRIMP, AND CHICKEN SOUP

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So what do you do with half a pound of andouille sausage, 1 chicken breast, and 8 ounces of frozen, uncooked shrimp? You make soup, of course. And that’s just what I did the other evening. I made soup. Middle of summer and all. With garlic toast on the side, it turned out to be a perfect mid-summer meal! And yummy, oh my goodness yes!

Based on a recipe I found on the Genius Kitchen site, I added some ingredients, changed the amounts here and there, and adjusted and simplified the preparation instructions. But the bones of the soup are basically from that site. (Great site BTW.)

My only regret after dinner was that I hadn’t had enough of the main ingredients to prepare a full recipe. But by all means, you can halve the recipe very easily. Just don’t blame me if you halve the recipe and wish you hadn’t. But enough about blame. Let’s get back to the “soup in the middle of summer” part.

It just came to me while I was writing this recipe preface, that I have displayed terribly misguided thinking in the past. And frankly, I should have realized my archaic opinion of serving hot soup in the summer was just that. Archaic! After all, what’s just about the first thing I discuss with our waiter, after I order my martini of course, when we go out for dinner? “What’s the soup of the day?” Winter and summer, I ask that same question. And I don’t let the temperature outside have any part of my decision. (You can just about make bet on my saying yes to any type of seafood bisque, regardless of the time of year.) So to date, why have I not served more hot soup in the summer? Because I’m a total idiot, that’s why!  

Of course there are many wonderful cold soups, but I’m going to start serving hot soup in the summer too. And yes I get the whole thing about cooking over a hot stove. But not all soups take hours to simmer, and many soups are a one dish meal. And let’s not forget about the abundance of fresh veggies in the summer. That and the fact that many soups are low in calories and easily warm up the next day in the microwave.

So my friends, don’t make the same mistake I’ve made the last 54 years of my life. Don’t wait until fall to serve hot soup. After the other evenings meal, sitting on our east facing deck, enjoying this delicious soup and garlic toast, I’ve become an advocate of hot soup in the summer. Well that, and one dish meals. (I’m not counting the garlic toast as another “dish”, because I dunk it in the soup, which clearly indicates that it’s just another aspect of the soup. Right!?!?)

Enjoy the rest of your summer. And one more thing. Please don’t leave out the green and red peppers. The soup would simply not be the same without these two key ingredients. And yes, this dish has definite Cajun influences. But there-in lies its basic appeal. I need say no more!

  • 2 T. extra virgin olive oil, divided
  • 1 lb. andouille sausage, sliced into 1/3-inch pieces (I use Johnsonville Andouille Smoked Sausage – not too spicy)
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite sized pieces  
  • 2 tsp. kosher salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 lb. uncooked lg. shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 lg. yellow onion, chopped 
  • 2 green bell peppers, chopped  
  • 2 red bell peppers, chopped   
  • 4 stalks celery, thinly sliced
  • 6 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1 (28-oz.) can diced tomatoes (Italian canned tomatoes are best)
  • 3 c. chicken broth
  • 1 c. dry white wine
  • 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 T. dried oregano 
  • 2 tsp. dried thyme 
  • 4 tsp. sweet paprika (preferably Hungarian paprika)
  • ¼ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes  
  • Garlic Toast, opt. (see recipe below)

Pour 1 tablespoon of the olive oil into a large covered soup pot. Sauté sausage until browned on both sides. Remove from pan and transfer to a small bowl.

Sprinkle chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Add chicken to the pan and sauté until completely cooked. (Don’t over-cook.) Transfer chicken to another small bowl and set aside.

Add shrimp to the pot, and sauté just until fully cooked. Remove from pan and add to the bowl with the cooked chicken. Set aside to cool. Once cool place in refrigerator until needed.

Meanwhile, add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, onions, peppers, and celery to pot; sauté for 10 minutes or until the veggies are soft and beginning to brown. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute.

Return half of the cooked sausage to pot. Stir in the canned tomatoes with juice, chicken broth, wine, Worcestershire sauce, oregano, thyme, paprika, and crushed red pepper flakes.

Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat; cover, and simmer for 60 minutes.

After 60 minutes, add the remaining cooked sausage, chicken, and shrimp to the pot and simmer about 3-4 minutes or until the soup has come again to a hearty simmer. Adjust seasoning, and serve with garlic toast.

GARLIC TOAST   

  • 4 T. unsalted butter (½ stick), room temperature
  • 2 medium garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tsp. finely chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
  • ½ tsp. kosher salt
  • ½ of a crusty Italian or French baguette, cut in half lengthwise, and then cut into serving size pieces

Place the butter, garlic, parsley, and salt in a small bowl and mix with a table fork until well blended. Place the bread on a baking sheet, crust side down. Spread the butter mixture evenly over all of the pieces. Bake the bread in a pre-heated 425 degree oven for about 10 minutes or until the top is a very light golden brown.

 

 

TURKEY NOODLE SOUP

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So, you’ve got leftover turkey from Thanksgiving in your freezer, but no homemade stock and your taste buds are crying out for soup. This happens routinely at Chez Carr. So when I desperately want turkey soup, I cheat! Yep, that’s just what I do!

I start with chicken or turkey broth, then add a bunch of common ingredients, and next thing you know, I’m sitting down to a lovely steaming bowl of goodness. Healthy too!

According to Donna Clarke writing for Health Guide Info, and I quote, “There’s nothing like a soothing bowl of hot chicken soup to cure what ails you. Grandma was right, it’s the best thing for that nasty cold! But what about turkey soup? Why does chicken soup make us feel so much better? Can turkey soup offer the same powerful punch?

We’ve all been there – wrapped in a blanket with chills, fever, cough, runny nose, aches…the works. The only thing that seems to sooth and comfort is a hot delicious bowl of chicken soup, with chunks of chicken, carrots, fresh dill, and onion, the aroma fills the entire room. Homemade or canned, it just seems to make everything better. But, did you ever wonder why? What is the secret our grandmothers all seemed to know? What is the mystery contained within this wondrous food? Why does chicken soup seem to be the perfect food to help cure what ails us? And what about turkey soup? Can turkey soup offer the same benefit?

The idea of consuming a hot bowl of chicken soup for the medicinal qualities it possesses dates back to the 12th century when Rabbi Moses Maimonides prescribed it to his patients. Since then, it has been offered to individuals ailing from a wide variety of maladies from congestion to the flu. Amazingly, this simple yet flavorful soup has been the subject of controversy with respect to its healing ability. But is it myth or medicine, fact or fiction?

Can chicken soup really offer relief for the common cold? Dr. Stephen Rennard at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, sought to solve this mystery. He conducted a series of tests adding chicken soup to neutrophils – the white blood cells. His findings were published in 1999 in the American College of Chest Physicians. He concluded that chicken soup did in fact help to inhibit the movement of these neutrophils, determining that chicken soup has a definite anti-inflammatory effect, causing a reduction of chest congestion!

The exact cause of this benefit is still a mystery, but one thing is certain, the nutritional values found in chicken soup are undeniable. Loaded with protein, vitamin A, niacin, vitamin K, potassium, and phosphorus, the ingredients contained in this fabulous soup offer a definite benefit when struggling with the common cold. If you are making homemade, be sure to include these ingredients as a base:

chicken: hot chicken broth vapors can help thin out mucus due to the presence of cysteine, an amino acid

onions: onions contain quercetin, also helpful in thinning out mucus, as well as act as an anti-inflammatory

carrots: these yummy vegetables provide an excellent source of vitamin A

parsnip: in addition to adding a delicious flavor, parsnip provides a good source of potassium

Other ingredients such as dill, celery, mushrooms, and even brown rice or whole grain pasta can be added for even more benefit!

But How About Turkey Soup?

The benefit of turkey soup is the same as chicken soup. Plus, with turkey soup, you have the added benefit of tryptophan (an amino acid) to help calm and sooth, providing the perfect relief for that day when you need the warmth and comfort only hot soup can provide.”

So I say – what are you waiting for? Dig that package of almost forgotten turkey out of the back of your freezer, and help gird yourself against a nasty winter cold or even more undesirable, the horrible flu that is going around. Think of this soup as preventive medicine. And as medicines go, you could do a lot worse!

  • 8 c. chicken or turkey broth (I use Costco Chicken Bone Broth or Better Than Bouillon Turkey Base and 8 cups of water)
  • ½ c. chopped onion
  • ½ lg. shallot, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 carrots, thinly sliced
  • 3 stalks celery, finely diced
  • ¼ c. minced parsley
  • 1 dried bay leaf
  • 1 tsp. seasoned salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ tsp. poultry seasoning
  • ½ tsp. dried thyme
  • 1 pkg. turkey gravy mix, opt. (provides color, flavor, and a bit of thickening)
  • planned over turkey cut into bite-size chunks (however much you want or have)
  • 1-2 T. white wine vinegar
  • 1½ c. wide egg noodles, cooked al dente

Place the chicken broth, onion, shallot, garlic, carrots, celery, parsley bay leaf, seasoned salt, pepper, poultry seasoning, dried thyme, and turkey gravy mix in a large, heavy, covered soup pot. Bring liquid to a boil, reduce heat, cover pot, and simmer gently for about 90 minutes.  

When the carrots are all but dissolved, add the turkey, white wine vinegar, and cooked noodles. Adjust seasoning. Good the first day, but even better the next!

 

 

 

 

CURRIED LENTIL, GARBANZO BEAN, AND VEGETABLE SOUP (VEGAN)

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Most of the time I prefer some kind of meat in my soups, stews, and chowders. But as we are getting a bit older and health issues are starting to raise their ugly little heads here at Chez Carr, I have decided to (for the 3,659th time), try to direct our taste buds toward a more vegetable and meatless protein rich diet. Don’t get me wrong. We eat a lot of veggies already, and both of us love beans and interesting grains, but I could do better. (I say I, because I’m the one in the apron!)

So, in that vein, and because I needed a vegan dish for this Sunday’s JazzVox pre-concert meal, I came up with this soup loosely based on a recipe from the Happy Healthy Mama website.

First of all, we both love Indian curry. So why not start with curry powder. Then some turmeric (super good for us), and a few other spices and lots of veggies. Throw in some lentils and garbanzo beans, and you have a soup that is both delicious and ultra-healthy.

So if you too are trying to eat healthier, but absolutely refuse to give up the quality of the food you put in your mouth, give this recipe a try. The soup is creamy and chunky, with a wonderful mouth feel. (You know, that lovely feeling in your mouth when the consistency and flavor of whatever food you are eating feels so perfect you almost don’t want to swallow.) OK, maybe my definition of “mouth feel” falls into the category of a personal idiosyncrasy. Regardless, this soup is wonderful and perfect for a cold winter evening meal. Enjoy.

And remember, buy all the lovely spices featured in this soup in bulk. You will save yourself so much money. Which only means you can make this soup more often. See how that works!

  • 2 T. curry powder
  • 1 tsp. ground turmeric
  • ½ tsp. ground cumin
  • 1/8 to ¼ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes (I start with 1/8 teaspoon because I’m a wimp!)
  • ½ tsp. kosher salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tsp. extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 lg. carrot, small dice
  • 1 medium-sized yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 celery stalk, plus leaves, small dice
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
  • 1 T. finely chopped fresh ginger
  • 1 c. dry lentils, washed and rinsed
  • 8 c. vegetable broth (I use Better Than Bouillon Seasoned Vegetable Base and 8 cups water, or strained cooking water from garbanzo beans and enough tap water to make 8 cups)
  • 1 lg. sweet potato, cut into small chunks
  • 3 c. cooked garbanzo beans (see cooking recipes below) or 2 cans garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (15 oz.) can lite coconut milk
  • ½-1 tsp. garam masala, opt.

In a small bowl, combine the curry powder, turmeric, cumin, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Set Aside.

Heat the olive oil in a heavy large covered soup pot. Add the carrot, onion, and celery. Cook until the onion is translucent. Add the garlic and ginger; cook 1 minute. Add the spice mixture and lentils; cook for 1 minute. Stir in the veggie broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring periodically.

Add the sweet potato, and cook for 20-30 minutes or until the lentils and sweet potato chunks are tender. Add the cooked garbanzo beans, coconut milk, and garam masala. Bring to just below a boil. Remove from heat and adjust seasoning. Great served with warm sourdough bread. Reheats beautifully. (Actually this soup is even better the second day.)

Instant-Pot or Pressure Cooker Garbanzo Beans  

  • 1 c. dried garbanzo beans/chickpeas, washed but not pre-soaked
  • 4 c. water
  • ½ tsp. salt, opt.

Add washed chickpeas along with the water to the Instant-Pot insert. Add salt. Close the lid with vent in sealing position.

Set the Instant Pot to High Pressure, and adjust the timer to 35 minutes. When the cooking time is up, unplug the Instant Pot and do a 20 minute NPR, which means if necessary, release the pressure manually 20 minutes after the beep. Strain the liquid and use it to make the vegetable broth. Add the cooked beans to the soup per recipe instructions.

Note: As much as possible I prefer to use cooked dry beans rather than canned beans. But of course, there are just those days when I gladly grab a can of beans out of the pantry. Consistency has always been my motto!

Regular Top-of-the-Stove Cooked Beans (Quick Soak Method)

  • 1 c. dried garbanzo beans/chickpeas, washed
  • water
  • ½ tsp. salt, opt.

Place the washed beans in a large pot, cover with several inches of water and bring to a boil. Boil for 5 minutes then take the pot off of the heat and let the beans sit in the water for 1 hour.

After the beans have been soaked, drain and rinse them well. Add them to a large pot, cover with several inches of water, and bring everything to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer uncovered 90 to 120 minutes or until tender. Add the salt after the beans have been simmering for about an hour. Remove from heat, allow to cool a bit, then strain the liquid and use it to make the vegetable broth. Add the cooked beans to the soup per recipe instructions.

 

 

SMOKED SALMON CHOWDER

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Once in a while serendipity comes to visit, and if I am paying attention, I take advantage. That’s what happened when I decided that the menu for our next JazzVox pre-concert meal would include a soup, a stew, and a chowder. (Also Roasted Rosemary Cashews, a quinoa salad, two kinds of homemade bread, and a cake to round out the lineup.)

I knew the stew had to be Beef Stew. Not a very pretentious name, but my stew is not a humble offering. Nothing starting with lean bacon and containing red wine and rosemary need take a back seat to any other dish even if its name is terribly common.

The soup I am choosing to serve is vegan, containing curry and lots of delicious veggies. (If it works out, I’ll be posting the recipe in the next few days.) For the chowder, I decided a creamy seafood based chowder would be delicious.

I rarely make seafood chowders, mainly because Mr. C. is not fond of potatoes. (And potato is kind of the quintessential ingredient in seafood chowders.) So I promised him, that whatever I came up with, potatoes would be secondary to the seafood. I also promised him that the potatoes would not be mushy. (I knew I could achieve tender, not mushy potatoes by steaming small potatoes whole, then cutting them into very small chunks. Not adding them until the last part of the chowder cooking time would also help keep the potatoes firm.) So then, what kind of seafood chowder?

For Christmas my father-in-law had given us a 6-ounce chunk of smoked salmon (the serendipity part). And there it was, quietly sitting on a shelf in my pantry waiting to be devoured (the me paying attention part).

So I went on line and started researching smoked salmon chowder recipes. I learned a lot. I already knew how to make cream soups, so based on my knowledge and some parts and pieces from several on-line contributors, I came up with this recipe.

This is definitely not an in-your-face smoked salmon flavored chowder. It’s more of a well-balanced dish that should appeal to sophisticated palates. You might even say that it is a “gentrified” chowder. (And no, I am not trying to be cheap frugal in limiting the amount of smoked salmon in this recipe. I’m simply trying to provide you with the ideal smoked salmon chowder experience!)

So, since winter is upon us, I suggest you give this chowder a try. It is easy to prepare, and really, really tasty. Perfect for a cold, rainy weeknight dinner or weekend lunch. Great with warm sour dough bread or oyster crackers.  

  • 12 oz. small white or fingerling potatoes, peeled
  • 8 T. (1 stick) unsalted butter
  • ½ lg. yellow onion, small dice
  • 2 stalks celery, small dice
  • 2 lg. garlic cloves, finely minced
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 6 T. unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 3 c. water
  • 3 T. tomato paste
  • 3 c. half-and-half
  • 1 c. whole milk, or more as needed
  • 8 oz. (1 lg. pkg.) cream cheese, room temperature, cut into 1″ chunks  
  • 5 T. capers, rinsed and drained
  • 12 oz. smoked salmon, chopped into small pieces
  • 2 T. chopped celery leaves
  • kosher salt, if needed

Steam the whole potatoes until they are just barely done. (After the water comes to a boil, it takes 15-20 minutes.) Remove from pot. When cool, cut into small dice. (I personally hate large chunks of potato in my chowders. So I cut the potatoes into a really small dice.) Set aside.

Melt the butter in a heavy soup pot. Add the onion and celery; cook until the onion is translucent. Add the garlic and black pepper; cook for one minute.

Whisk in the flour and let it cook for one minute. Whisk in the water and tomato paste. Continue whisking until the mixture is smooth and thickened. Stir in the diced potatoes; bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat and stir in the half-and-half, whole milk, cream cheese, capers, and smoked salmon. Heat slowly until almost simmering. Add more milk if required to reach desired consistency.

Remove from heat, adjust seasoning, and stir in celery leaves. Serve hot with crusty sour dough bread or oyster crackers.

 

BACON, CORN, AND CHEESE SOUP

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The other evening I was sick of being in the kitchen. Let me explain. I had been baking Christmas cookies and making fudge (recipes coming) all day! And here it was 6:30 and I hadn’t even thought about what I was going to fix for dinner. Now you know, there are just times when even going out to dinner seems too onerous. I would have had to put on my face (makeup) and change my clothes, and like I said – way to arduous. So I decided some kind of soup was exactly what we needed.

I opened the refrigerator door and there before me was the leftover bacon I had fried that morning for breakfast. Well then, how about some kind of chowder? But what goes well with bacon? Corn goes with bacon, and cheese goes with corn. Ah ha – a plan was hatched.

So because many of my soups start with a mirepoix, I diced up some onion, celery, and carrot and threw them in the pot. (Got to start somewhere, right?) After that all the other ingredients just seemed to fall into place.

The soup turned out really good, and it was fast and easy to prepare. Served with crackers, it was the ideal end to a long day of playing with too much flour, butter, and chocolate. (The before dinner martini didn’t hurt either. Thank you Mr. C.)

  • 4 slices lean, thick-cut bacon, diced
  • 1 T. butter
  • ½ c. chopped onion
  • ½ c. chopped celery
  • ½ c. shredded carrot
  • 2 c. chicken broth
  • ½ tsp. kosher salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ tsp. dried thyme
  • 1 can whole kernel corn, drained 
  • 2 c. whole milk
  • 1 T. cornstarch
  • 2 c. grated sharp cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
  • oyster crackers, opt.  

In a large covered soup pot, fry diced bacon until crisp. Remove from pan and drain on paper towels. Set aside. Add butter to the pan (don’t remove bacon fat) and add the onion, celery, and carrot. Cook just until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the chicken broth, salt, pepper, and thyme; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in the corn and the milk that has been whisked together with the cornstarch. Slowly bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 3-4 minutes or until slightly thickened. Add the reserved bacon and simmer until heated through. Remove from heat and stir in the cheese. Adjust seasonings. Serve with oyster crackers on the side.

SWEET ITALIAN SAUSAGE AND TORTELLINI SOUP

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I love fall! And do you know why? Because I love soup! (Not that I don’t build soup throughout the year, but there’s just something special about soup burbling on the stove while the wind and rain tear the leaves off of our trees and scatter them all over the yard.) What could be more exciting than that! (Some would say a trip to Italy or almost anything that doesn’t cause pain, loss of dignity, or the presence of mind not to inadvertently discard a winning lottery ticket.)

But for me, even the prepping of vegetables becomes a treat when I am inside warm and dry, while just outside my window Mother Nature is causing all kind of havoc in the yard. (Maybe I like fall so much because at least for a few months I don’t have to worry about Mr. C. mowing our vacant lot and working his fingers to the bone keeping the weeds at a reasonable level, and me spending countless hours watering! It really could be just as simple as that!)

But whatever the reason, soup in the fall is a must in my kitchen and hopefully also in yours. (And no, opening a can of chicken noodle soup and warming it on the stove just doesn’t cut it!) Real soup has that one ingredient that is missing from canned soup, well that and too much salt and all the ingredients listed on the can that are unpronounceable. Real soup has love mixed in during every step of the preparation. Plus, who in their right mind doesn’t relish walking into the kitchen and smelling soup simmering on the stove? Everyone loves good smells emanating from the kitchen. It just makes one feel loved and cared for. And homemade soup is one of the healthiest dishes you can feed your family. Without much trouble at all, you can tuck all kinds of nutritious ingredients into soup without any of your family suspecting your duplicity. (In this type of situation, I truly believe that duplicity is OK. Actually, it’s better than just OK. It’s almost mandatory to help keep you and your family healthy!)   

So when our dear fried Susan served us this soup after a band rehearsal that her husband Tim had called, we were in heaven. I liked the soup so much I immediately asked for the recipe. I made a couple of tiny changes, but then, that’s what I do. (I simply can’t help myself!)

I hope you fix this soup in the near future. It’s easy to prepare, relatively inexpensive, and absolutely perfect for a stormy fall or winter evening. Actually, it’s the perfect soup to serve after spending an afternoon raking leaves. (If that’s the case, I would also encourage that you bake up a batch of brownies as another surefire way of thanking your family for all their hard work!)

Speaking of thanks, thanks again Susie for this wonderful recipe.

  • 1 lb. bulk sweet (not hot) Italian sausage
  • 1 c. chopped onion
  • 1 med. sized green pepper, chopped
  • 2 lg. garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 c. chicken or beef broth/stock
  • 1-2 Parmesan rinds, opt. (I use 2 rinds, each approximately 2-inches square)
  • 28 oz. can diced tomatoes, including juice (preferably Italian tomatoes)
  • ½ c. dry red wine
  • 2 tsp. dried basil
  • 2 tsp. dried oregano (Mexican oregano is fabulous)  
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • pinch crushed red pepper flakes
  • 8-10 oz. pkg. fresh or frozen tortellini (I use three cheese tortellini)
  • 1 med. zucchini, cut in half lengthwise and then into ¼-inch wide half rounds
  • 2 T. chopped fresh parsley
  • ¼ c. chopped fresh basil, opt.
  • freshly grated Parmesan cheese

In a large covered soup pot, break up and sauté the Italian sausage until the meat is no longer pink. Remove sausage from pan to a small bowl. Set aside. Add the onion and green pepper to the pan. Sauté gently until the onion is translucent, about 5-6 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute. (There will be brown bits (caramelized meat) sticking to the bottom of the pan. This is good. When you add the liquid in the next step, gently lift the brown bits off the bottom of the pan with your stirring utensil.)

Add the broth, Parmesan rinds, diced tomatoes, red wine, dried basil, dried oregano, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and half of the cooked Italian sausage. Bring to just under a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer gently for 40 minutes.

After 40 minutes, add the tortellini, zucchini, and the rest of the cooked Italian sausage; simmer until the tortellini is tender. Remove the Parmesan rinds and stir in the parsley and fresh basil. Adjust seasoning.

Ladle into individual soup bowls. Pass the grated Parmesan cheese.

I serve this soup with toasted crusty baguette slices. No butter required. Just dunk the bread in the broth. Yum