Cream of Chicken and Potato Soup

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1 large celery stalked, chopped
• 1/2 cup of carrot matchsticks
• 1 jalapeno, seeded and chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped mushrooms
• 2 medium red potatoes chopped
• 3/4 cup flour
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 - 1/2 tsp ground pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp sage
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• 1/2 tsp marjoram
• 1/2 tsp ground mustard
• 1/4 tsp rosemary
• 1/2 of the meat from a 2 lb roasted chicken
• 2 cups milk or half and half (I used soy milk)

1. Melt butter in a large pot, that is large enough to make the soup in
2. Add onions, celery, carrots, jalapeno, and mushrooms and saute 2-3 mins
3. Slowly mix in flour until mixture is thick
4. Slowly stir in chicken broth so that the broth and flour/veggie mixture is mixed well
5. Add potatoes, salt, pepper, garlic powder, sage, oregano, marjoram, ground mustard, and rosemary and cook on low heat, covered for 15 - 20 minutes until potatoes are almost cooked
6. Add chicken meat and milk and continue to simmer for 1 hour
7. Serve and enjoy!

Chili on a Rainy Night

Hey everyone....sorry I have been away for awhile...its been busy and cooking has been at a minimum the last week or so but I am back in it. Last night I made chili and I never seem to make it the same but here is my basic recipe:

• 1 lb ground turkey or beef 
• 1/2 a sweet onion, diced small 
• 1/2 green pepper, diced small 
• 3 cloves garlic, pressed 
• Can of green chilis 
• Small can of tomato sauce 
• Can of diced tomatoes 
• Can of red beans 
• 1 tbsp oregano 
• 1 tbsp chili powder 
• 1/2 tsp salt 
• 1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper 
• Dash of cayenne 
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro 
• Topping: shredded cheddar and sour cream 

1. Brown the ground meat with the diced onion and green pepper and garlic. Cook until meat is fully cooked and onions are transparent 
2. Mix together diced tomatoes, green chilis, beans, tomato sauce, chili powder, cayenne, salt, pepper, and the meat mixture. 
3. Top with cilantro and bake in a covered baking dish for 20-30 minutes or until mixture is bubbly. 
4. Top with shredded cheese and sour cream and ENJOY!

Cheesy Taco Soup

• 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey 
• Small yellow onion, chopped 
• 1 green pepper, chopped 
• 1 red pepper, chopped 
• 1 jalapeno, seeded and chopped 
• 1/4 cup taco seasoning 
• 1 tsp chili powder 
• 1 tsp salt 
• 1/8 cup chopped fresh cilantro 
• 4 tbsp butter 
• 3 cups chicken broth 
• 1/4 cup flour 
• 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese block, chopped into small pieces (1/4" cubes) 
• 1 1/2 cups milk 
• 1/4 cup sour cream 

1. Brown meat, onion and peppers in large pot 
2. Add taco seasoning, chili powder, salt, cilantro and chicken broth and bring to a boil 
3. Add butter and flour until butter is melted and slowly mix in milk and bring to a boil 
4. Add cheese and cover for 5-10 minutes. Once all cheese is melted, stir in sour cream, remove from heat and serve! 
5. Garnish with taco chips if desired.