Soup Is Good For The Soul

I'm a big soup lover. Jeremy, not so much, bless him for putting up with it, as I do make it often in the winter. I don't know about everywhere else in the country right now, but it has been quite cold this last week. And what's a better way to warm your insides on a cold winter day than soup?


 Homemade Cheesy Broccoli Soup
Serves: 4

16 oz frozen chopped broccoli
2 cups low sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup diced onion
2 tablespoons flour
1/3 cup milk
1/3 cup heavy cream
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
ground white pepper, to taste

Begin by simmering broccoli in a large pot in the 2 cups of chicken broth over medium heat. Simmer 15 min.
Meanwhile, melt butter in a skillet, throw in the diced onion and saute until tender over medium heat, about 5 min. Add in the 2 tbsp of flour to create a roux. Stir until the mix becomes paste like. Gradually add in the milk and cream, alternating milk and cream, stirring until thick.
Add this mixture into the broccoli/ broth mix, and stir well.  Turn off heat.
Add in the cheese, 1 cup at a time. Stir to mix. Season with pepper, about a pinch or two. Serve immediately.

Mix in ideas: Throw in some seasoned shredded chicken or top with sour cream, cheese and tomato. Yum!
I was inspired to make corn chowder after visiting home this last November, and my sister Hilarie served this delicious corn chowder. I text her a few times to get the recipe, but never did. Alas, I stumbled upon PW's corn chowder recipe. Made it, liked it, but felt like I could add/change somethings to make it more to my liking. And this is the result. Beware, this is SPICY! You can certainly change the amounts of chilies to adapt to your taste buds.

Corn and Potato Chowder
Serves: 4

2 slices of bacon, sliced 1/3 inch
3 medium red potatoes, quartered and cubed 
1 tbsp butter
1/2 onion, diced
2 cups frozen corn
1 4oz can green diced green chilies
2 Chipolte peppers in adoo, diced
16 oz low sodium chicken broth
3/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1/2 tbsp Masa
1/8 cup water

In a large pot, add the bacon and cook over medium heat. Cook for a few minutes. Add in the onions and continue to cook for 3 minutes. Melt the butter in the pot. Add in the potatoes. Cook and stir 2 min. Add corn, stir and cook 1 min. Throw in both kinds of chilies and stir.
Pour in the broth and cream. Stir. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low.
Combine Masa and water. Mix into the chowder and let simmer 15 min. This mixture will help thicken the chowder. If after 15 min it needs more thickening, mix up some more Masa and water and add into chowder. Cook another 10 min. Serve immediately with crusty bread or tortilla chips. So good!