Pureed Cauliflower Soup

We're totally on a cauliflower kick over here. My son absolutely loves it so I've been trying out some different things. I did the (suddenly so popular) cauliflower pizza crust but I need work on it some more. I think it could be much better so more on that later.

I've also done it steamed with carrots and then seasoned with butter, salt, and pepper. It's really good, but kind of boring. But, hey, if my kid will eat it then I love it.

Fire Roasted Tomato and Chicken Soup with Cheese Tortellini

Spring is finally here but the snow on the ground means that it's still chilly outside. And that means that I'm still making soup. A lot. We just love those 'warm-you-up-dinners' in our house!

I try to make a lot of different kinds of soups to keep things interesting around here and get everyone to try new styles and flavor combinations. I usually try to incorporate a meat since soup is our main course instead of a starter. (But I throw in a few veggie-only soups now and then just for fun.) This one happens to have meat but it can easily be left out if you're a vegetarian or not big on meat soups.

Pureed Sweet Potato Soup with Candied Bacon

Not too long ago, I was sick with a nasty cold. This was one of those colds when a nice, warm soup is just the thing to get you all cozy and feeling better. And before you ask, I'm weird and love to cook when I'm sick. Always have. Probably always will.

Ham and Sweet Potato Chowder

Now that Christmas is over, you're probably stuck with a myriad of leftovers. I know, it was days ago, but the only leftovers that matter are still good. Especially that ham. Mmmm...ham.

It's no secret around here that ham is my favorite meat. (I even have a little 'I love ham' song that my son has started to sing. It's so cute...) I usually make one a couple times a year because it's such an easy, delicious meal. If you grab a couple when they're on sale and stick them in your freezer then it's awesome, too. It's a great budget friendly food because you can get quite a few meals out of one ham. Super awesome, right? With the leftovers from one ham, I got this soup (three to four meals worth) and some super cute ham and cheese muffins (two to three meals worth). You just can't go wrong.

Spicy Sausage and Chicken Gumbo Soup

The other day, I asked my husband what he wanted for dinner. His reply was a simple, "There's sausage in the freezer." My rebuttal, "Or...soup!" A nice, hearty soup was sounding good and a warm-up in soup form is always welcomed... Anyways, my husband took my soup idea as a suggestion for a sausage soup. After a few minutes of confusion on both our parts because we were trying to figure out what the other person meant, the gumbo soup recipe was born.

Potato and Leek Soup

Spring has been around for a few weeks now but I'm not ready to give up the warmth of winter soup yet. I can't help it...I'm a soup girl!

I'm one of those people who makes soup all year round because it's such a great meal. I know quite a few people who treat soup as the start of a meal, but I've never really done that - it's the main course over here. That's why we prefer the kind that sticks to your ribs. They're hearty soups and great served up with a crusty piece of bread.

Kid's Favorite Chicken Noodle Soup

Okay, I know the weather this week was pretty much like summer and it might have been a little too warm for it, but I just couldn't wait to post this recipe for some homemade chicken soup. Well, it's not just chicken soup, it's the kind of chicken soup that we all know and love. You know what I'm talking about, right? It's that simple soup that has those awesome noodles and makes you feel like a kid again when you eat it. Yep, that one. But better.

Three Potato Chowder with Beans and Sage

I'm always trying out new and interesting soup ideas. Because it's winter, my need to create yummy, comfort foods is heightened and soup is usually on the top of that comfort food list. We're big fans of stick-to-your-ribs kinds of soups and chowders in the winter because they make such a great meal and they taste so good and they make you feel so warm and fuzzy inside and...well, you get the idea.

Egg Drop Soup

I have a new obsession.

I've always been a fan of egg drop soup but don't have it very often. I only get it when we order Chinese food from our local restaurant but the cost can get pretty pricey so it's only a once-in-a-while type of food. Well, we ordered some Chinese a few weeks ago and as I was eating my soup I thought out loud, "I can make this!" It shouldn't only be reserved for special occasions, right? I dissected each bite of the soup and came up with my own recipe that is just as good, if not better, than the restaurant versions.

Best Ever Vegetable Beef Barley Soup

If you've never had beef barley soup, you're missing out. It's one of the best soups out there because it's full of so many flavors. I've bought it in a can at the grocery store before, but nothing compares to a homemade version. The canned soups are lacking in flavor and substance and if you're lucky, you'll get a few pieces of meat along with a tiny portion of vegetables. The vegetables in soup are my favorite part so making my own soup has pretty much become a staple around here if I want to be able to actually taste them.

French Onion Soup

Ahhh...French Onion Soup. You either love it or hate it - there's no middle ground when it comes to this onion-y concoction. I happened to be one of those people that adores onions so this soup is right up my alley.   Plus, the fact that I grew up on it kind of helps. I remember my dad used to make this soup when I was younger and it was always a treat. I've since gone on to make my own version and it's just as good. It takes some time to make because you have to carmelize the onions for optimal flavor, but it's definitely worth it.

Lemon Rice Revisited

I'm revisiting my very first post. It was a story about feel good soup and the past few days definitely called for one of those feel good moments. My little guy came down with the flu the other day and he was just miserable. When he finally got to a point of wanting to eat, I made him his favorite soup: Chicken Lemon Rice. I always forget how much he loves it until it's made and he pretty much inhales it. This past time was no different considering how sick he was.

Simple Tomato Soup

Have you ever had one of those meals that just makes you say, "Wow!"? I don't get them that often. Now, don't get me wrong, I love everything I cook/bake/prepare/whatever (and wouldn't share them if I didn't), but some things are just plain better than others. Some are, in fact, awesome. The tomato soup I made this evening happens to be one of those awesome things.

A Little Lemon Rice for the Soul

I got my love of food from my dad. When I was a little kid, he would create the most wonderful recipes and expose the family to such strange and interesting foods. It was an exquisite adventure every time a new dish was created.  We ate foods that most kids wouldn't even bother trying but somehow, he got us wanting more. We had things such as frog legs and artichokes.  How many 7-year-olds do you know eat artichokes? With oyster stew!  Granted, artichokes aren't as unheard of now as they were then, but I still dare you to ask some first graders what they had for dinner last night. And little did I know that this early culinary cuisine would pave the way for my ability to create in the kitchen. 

I think it all started when I would get sick and stay home from school.  Everyone wants comfort food when they're under the weather and I would try to recreate the chicken soup that my grandma made for us so many times before. I'm still working on that one after all these years but I think I get a little bit closer each time.  

Until I get that so-soothing chicken soup just right, I've been working on my own recipe for Chicken Lemon Rice soup. I was struck by the idea one day while my little guy was sick. He's a big fan of soup and he really liked one from a local restaurant so I decided to whip up my own version. I, and mostly my 2-year-old son, really like how it turned out.  So, if you're feeling a little sick and can't quite grasp that recipe for 'chicken soup that grandma used to make', I'd suggest giving this one a try.  It might not be as good for you as grandma's was, but it will sure make you happy while you're eating it.

Chicken Lemon Rice Soup

• 8 cups chicken broth
• 3 chicken breast
• 5 egg yolks
• 6 TB flour
• 7 TB butter, divided
• 1/3 c lemon juice
• 2 cups cooked white rice

1. In large pot, cook chicken in 1 TB butter until no longer pink and browned slightly.  Remove from pan. 

2. Add 6 TB butter and melt.  Stir in 6 TB flour and cook over med heat for about 5 minutes or until golden in color.  Slowly add 8 cups chicken broth and bring to boil. Meanwhile, shred chicken into small pieces.  Once broth has boiled, add chicken back to pot.

3. Beat 5 egg yolks with 1/3 c lemon juice in separate bowl.  Temper egg mixture with a little broth so the eggs don’t curdle.  Slowly add egg mixture to pot, mixing continuously. 

4. Add rice and continue to cook over med-low heat until heated through.  

I hope you enjoy this feel good food. It's simple ingredients for a simple meal. I'd suggest serving it with a crusty piece of bread to make a hearty and filling dinner for yourself and the little ones.