Beer Mac n Cheese Soup

This recipe had sounded so intriguing to me, so one night I decided to make it. I must say, it was a hit. It is more like really soupy mac n cheese, rather than actual soup. I don't like beer, but the subtle taste of it really adds to the soup.

Beer Mac 'n Cheese Soup

• 2 T. Olive oil
• 6 Bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
• 1 Medium onion, diced
• 1 Large carrot, diced
• 2 Jalapeno pepper, diced with seeds removed
• 2 Cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 c. Flour
• 2 c. Chicken broth
• 1 c. Beer
• 1 Pinch nutmeg
• 1 1/2 c. Elbow macaroni
• 1/2 c. Heavy cream
• 1 t. Mustard
• 3 c. Shredded cheddar cheese
• Cayenne pepper to taste
• Salt and Pepper to taste

In the olive oil, cook onion, carrot, and jalapeno peppers in a pot over medium heat, until tender, about 10 mins. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, careful not to let it burn. Mix in flour and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add the broth, beer, nutmeg. Bring to a boil. Add the macaroni and bacon. Cook for as long as it says on the package of macaroni or until noodles are tender. Add the cream, mustard, and cheese and cook until cheese is melted, making sure to reduce the heat so soup does not boil again. Season with cayenne, salt, and pepper.

Recipe adapted from closetcooking.com

Crock Pot Baked Potato Soup

I am aware I like to take large breaks in between posting things, but that just makes it even more special when I do :)

Here is some deliciously easy soup to make on a cold day like today. There is no broccoli listed in the ingredients, but next time I am definitely going to add a head of broccoli.

Baked Potato Soup

• 6 Large potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 Large onion, diced
• 2 Carrots, peeled and diced
• 1 Quart chicken broth
• 3 Garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 c. Butter
• Salt and Pepper to taste
• 1 c. Cream
• 1 c. or more Shredded cheddar cheese
• 6 Bacon strips, cooked and crumbled

Combine all ingredients besides cream, cheese, and bacon in the crock pot. Cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 8. When potatoes are tender, coarsely mash them until soup reaches your desired consistency. (I still don't have a potato masher, so I used my hand mixer) Stir in cream, cheese, and bacon. Garnish with whatever toppings you please: sour cream, chives, more cheese)

Recipe adapted from crockingirls.com 

Mexican Lime Soup with Chicken

O my goodness, if you want a tasty, belly filling soup this is the one! I found it on the Williams-Sonoma website of all places. It did not call to be made in a crock pot, but I did anyway and had amazing results! I just tossed it all in and cooked it on LOW for 8 hours or so. SO GOOD!

Unfortunately, the picture doesn't do it justice because we ate almost all the soup before I remembered to take a picture :(

Mexican Lime Soup with Chicken

• 3 Limes
• 2 Chicken breasts (or tenders), about 10 oz. each
• 1 t. Salt
• 1/2 t. Ground pepper
• 1 T. Extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 large onion, I used yellow, chopped
• 5 Garlic cloves, minced
• 2 Jalapeño chilis, seeded and minced
• 3 c. Low-sodium chicken broth  
• 3 c. Water
• 1 1/2 t. Oregano, the original called for Mexican oregano, but I couldn't find any.

• 1 Avocado, pitted, peeled and diced
• 2 oz. Queso fresco or feta cheese, crumbled. the fresco was a lot more expensive, so I used feta.

Cut one lime into wedges to use as a garnish for later. Juice the other 2 to get 1/4 c. of lime juice. Mix all ingredients in the crock pot, minus the avocado and cheese, those are used as garnishes. Cook on LOW for 8 hours. Remove chicken from crock pot and shred or use two forks to shred in the crock pot. Serve with the lime wedges, avocado, and cheese.

Here is the original recipe: http://www.williams-sonoma.com/recipe/mexican-lime-soup-chicken.html

Roasted Cauliflower and Aged White Cheddar Soup

It was the first weekend of fall, so what better way to start it off than with some soup and cute decorations?
One day at the bank these farmers came in with a bunch of gourds and pumpkins. Our investor lady bought everything so I got all my fall decorations for free!

I got this recipe from closetcooking.com and boy was it tasty!

• 1 head Cauliflower, cut into bite sized pieces
• 2 T. olive oil
• 1 T. olive oil
• 1 Yellow onion chopped
• 2 cloves Garlic, chopped
• 1 t. dried thyme
• 3 C. Vegetable broth
• 8 oz aged white cheddar, cubed
• 1/2 c. Milk
• 1/2 c. Cream
• Salt and pepper to taste

Place cauliflower in a container with 2 T. olive oil and salt and pepper. Place lid on and shake till fully coated. Line a baking sheet with foil and preheat oven to 400. Bake cauliflower till brown, about 20-30 mins. Meanwhile, in a large pot heat 1 T. olive oil with the onion, garlic, and thyme. Add the broth and cauliflower and bring to a boil. Cover and let simmer for 20 mins. Try to mash the cauliflower to your likeness in the pot. *The original recipe suggested using an electric mixer but I felt that would make a big mess* Mix in the cheese till it melts and add more salt and pepper. Mix in the milk and cream and serve!