Broccoli and Cheese Soup

Yesterday, as I was getting my meals planned for the week, I realized I had failed to blog a very delicious Broccoli and Cheese Soup that my family absolutely loves.  I have some broccoli that I need to use that I got from Bountiful Baskets last week, which is how this soup landed its way onto our current menu.  This soup is a delicious blend of broccoli and cheese, and topped with some croutons, you will definitely find yourself going back for seconds!

PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION
WHAT IT TAKES:
1 LB Velveeta Cheese
2 cans cream of chicken soup, undiluted
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/3 cup milk
16 oz of frozen broccoli (thawed).  *you can also use fresh broccoli

OPTIONAL TOPPING:  Croutons

IT DOESN'T GET MUCH EASIER THAN THIS:
Mix all of the ingredients into the CrockPot.  Cook on low for 2 1/2-3 hours, stirring occasionally.  If soup seems too thick, you can add a little more milk to thin. Spoon into your favorite soup bowl, top with croutons if desired, and enjoy!

 

Broccoli and Cheese Soup

CrockPot Chicken Tortilla Soup

My favorite soup of all time is Chicken tortilla soup.  This particular recipe was derived from Miller's Musings and I was so excited to find it.  I have tried it at many different places, but in my opinion the kind you make at home is simply the best.  This soup is absolutely amazing and the fact that it is cooked in a CrockPot makes it even more yummy!  


The Ingredients:
2 chicken boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 cans Ro-Tel 
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 can corn
1 onion, chopped
2 cans low-sodium chicken broth
1-2 cups of water
1 package of Grill Mates Mojito Lime Marinade
shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese
tortilla chips

MAKING IT:
Put chopped onion, beans, rotel, corn, chicken broth, water, and Mojito Lime spices in CrockPot and stir to mix. Put chicken on top of mixture and make sure they're at least partly submerged in liquid. Cook on high 6-7 hours or low 8-9 hours. Before serving remove the chicken from soup and shred, if needed.  Return chicken to the slow cooker and stir to combine.

To serve put a few tortilla chips in the bottom of a bowl, topped with some shredded cheddar cheese, spoon some soup over the tortilla chips, and top with additional shredded cheddar cheese if desired.  Absolutely delicious! 

Enjoy!

CrockPot Chicken Tortilla Soup

Crock Pot Potato Soup

I love the fact that on the weekends I can chop up a few ingredients and throw them into a pot that will cook my dinner for me, allowing me to have a day to clean, play or even nap (yeah, right!).  The Crock-Pot, what a fabulous invention!  ....and this soup, well it was DELICIOUS!

PRINTABLE VERSION
What you need for this fabulous soup:
6 large russet potatoes, peeled and diced
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1 quart chicken broth
1/4 cup of butter, sliced
salt and pepper to taste
bread bowls (optional)
*1 cup heavy whipping cream
*1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

*wait to add these ingredients AFTER soup has finished cooking

Optional Toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, bacon, chives

Making it:
1.  Wash, peel and cut up your potatoes and onion and put in your crock pot.
2.  Mince your garlic and add to the pot.
3.  Add broth, butter, salt and pepper to pot.
4.  Stir.
5.  Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours.
6.  After mixture has finished cooking, mash potatoes with potato masher.  (Soup will be lumpy)
7.  Add whipping cream and cheddar cheese and stir until blended.
8.  Place in bread bowl, if desired, and top with your favorite toppings!

Crock Pot Potato Soup

Crock Pot Apple Butter

Yes, it is AMAZING! This was my first attempt at making Apple Butter and I just felt so domesticated once I had finished it, not to mention my house smelled absolutely fantastic for the entire day!  The recipe I used was adapted from Crystal, at Money Saving Mom and not only did she share an amazing recipe, but also free printable labels for your containers.  So, don't forget to jump over there when your done and print those off!

The most time consuming part of this process was peeling and coring the apples.  Luckily my husband jumped in to core and cut the apples as I was peeling them, so this greatly sped up the process.  So, if you have an extra set of hands around, grab them and have them join in on the fun!  Plus, my philosophy is, if the recipe flops, and you had a helper, you can always put the blame on them!! Just kidding!  ;)

So here we go!

PRINTABLE VERSION
The ingredients:

• 6 pounds of large Red Delicious Apples, however any type will work.
• 3 Tablespoons vanilla extract.  
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 3 teaspoons cinnamon 

Making it:
Peel, core, and slice apples in fourths. Put them in the crockpot with the vanilla and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Stir every few hours. Once apples are very, very tender, mash with a potato masher and stir in sugar and spices. Cook on low for another 5-6 hours, stirring occasionally.

Cool and pour into jars or an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator.

Crock Pot Apple Butter

Crock Pot Chili

Finally got moved into our house last week and FINALLY got our kitchen unpacked this weekend! YAY!  So, of course I cleaned up the crock pot and put her to use.  (isn't it insane how filthy your stuff looks once you unpack it).

Anyway, for my first crock pot meal this Fall I chose to do Chili.  It complemented the frost and cold weather here in Wyoming nicely.

PRINTABLE VERSION
This is what you use:
1 lb ground beef
1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped
1 1/2 tbsp. chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tbsp garlic, minced
1 (15 oz) can chili ready diced tomatoes
1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
1 (15 oz) can dark red kidney beans
1 (15 oz) can chili beans
1 can water
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
salt and pepper to taste

Optional toppings: Shredded cheese and sour cream

What you do:
In a skillet brown and crumble ground beef with onion and garlic over medium high heat until meat is completely done and onion is tender.  Drain excess grease and pour beef mixture into crock pot.  Add beans (do not rinse or drain), tomatoes, water, spices and Worcestershire sauce; mix thoroughly.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Cover with lid and cook on low for 4-6 hours (the longer the better). Serve with optional toppings.

Crock Pot Chili