Cheeseburger Soup

This soup doesn't actually taste like a cheeseburger, but it's super cheesy and there is hamburger in it, hence: cheeseburger soup!

1/3 lb ground beef
3/4 cup onion, chopped
3/4 cup carrots, shredded
3/4 cup celery, chopped
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried parsley
4 tbsp butter
3 cups beef broth
4 cups potatoes, peeled and cubed
1/4 cup flour
3 cups Cheddar cheese, cubed
1 1/2 cups milk
1/4 cup sour cream

In a dutch oven, melt 1 tbsp butter or margarine over medium heat. Cook and stir vegetables and beef, until beef is brown.

Stir in basil and parsley. Add broth and potatoes. Bring to a boil, then simmer until potatoes are tender, about 15-20 minutes.

In a small bowl, melt the remaining butter and stir in flour. Add the milk, stirring until smooth.

Gradually add the milk mixture to the soup, stirring constantly. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to simmer. Stir in cheese. When the cheese is melted, add sour cream and heat through. Do not boil

Serve and devour!

Hearty Beef Stew

This beef stew is great for those days when you don't want to make a huge effort for dinner.

3 lbs cubed beef stew meat
1/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp salt
3 tbsp olive oil
1 cup carrots
4 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 tbsp parsley
1 tsp pepper
2 cups beef broth (you can use chicken or vegetable too)
1 pkg dry onion soup mix
3 tbsp butter
1 onion, sliced
1/4 cup red wine (white wine works too, if that's all you have)
1/4 warm water
2 tbsp flour

Put beef, flour and salt into a plastic bag and shake to coat the beef.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add beef and cook until the outside is browned. Transfer to a slow cooker along with carrots, potatoes, parsley and pepper.

In a small bowl, stir together beef broth and soup mix; pour into the slow cooker.

In the same skillet, melt butter and saute onions until softened; add to slow cooker.

Pour wine into the skillet and stir to loosen the brown bits stuck on the bottom; add to slow cooker.

Cook on high for 30 minutes, then reduce the heat to low and cook for 6 hours or until meat is tender.

In a small bowl, mix together 2 tbsp of flour with 1/4 cup warm water (make sure there are no lumps!). Stir into stew and cook on high uncovered for 15 minutes, or until it is thick.


Serve and enjoy!

Creamy Cauliflower Bisque

A soup that is both hearty yet light (is that even possible? yes!).

1 lb cauliflower
1 lb potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 cups chicken broth
1/8 tsp red pepper
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 cup evaporated milk
1/3 cup butter
1 cup cheddar cheese

Put the cauliflower, potatoes, chicken broth, red pepper, salt, and black pepper into the slow cooker. Cook it on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.

Use a hand processor and puree the soup. Add the evaporated milk and butter and stir until completely blended. The evaporated milk thickens the soup.

The recipe said to garnish with the cheese, but I figured it would taste just as good if the cheese was melted into it!

Serve and enjoy!