Cold weather dictates a pot of soup bubbling away on the stove. These are some of my favorites.

Plaza III Steak Soup

1)       In microwave, melt one stick of butter and whip in 1 C flour to make paste.

2)      In big pot cook 1 pound of ground beef. Drain and add 1C chopped onions, 1C chopped carrots, and 1C chopped celery.

3)      Add ½ gallon of water, and butter/flour paste.

4)      Add 2C frozen mixed veggies, 1 can diced tomatoes, 2 beef bouillon cubes, 1T pepper

5)      Bring to boil. Lower heat and simmer till veggies are done. 

Minestrone Soup

1)       fry off 2 onions, chopped and 3 carrots, sliced.

2)      Dice up about a ¼ head of cabbage and add to pot. If you have fresh spinach or kale, chop up and add also.

3)      Add 6 cups water, 1 can stewed tomatoes, and 1t thyme

4)      Add 1 can of kidney beans w/ liquid and 1 can white beans with liquid

5)      Add 2 vegetable bouillon cubes, 1 10oz. box of frozen chopped spinach (if you didnÂ’t add fresh), and 1 cup of small pasta (alphabet, orzo, ditalini, etc.)

6)      Boil until pasta is cooked.  

Potato Soup

1)       Melt one stick butter and fry off 2 carrots, diced, and 1 onion, diced.

2)      Add 2T flour and 2 quarts water.

3)      Add 8 potatoes, peeled and diced, 1T veggie flakes

4)      Boil until veggies are cooked through.

5)      Add 1 can condensed milk, 1t parsley, and pepper and salt to taste. Heat through.

Note: this is good if you have left over ham – just chop it up and throw it in.

Chicken Soup

This is a throw together. Fill stockpot half way with water and boil whole chicken. When done, remove chicken and de-bone, de-skin, and cut to bite size pieces. To broth add lots of chopped carrots, chopped celery, and chopped onions. Add chick bouillon cube, 1/2t garlic powder, salt and pepper to taste. Add cooked chicken pieces back to soup, along with 1 cup instant rice and ½ package of egg noodles. Cook till rice and noodles are done. This is a thick, hearty soup. May need to add water if you like it more brothy.