Category Archives: Soups, Stews, Chili and Gumbo

Best Ever Broccoli Cheese Soup

Posted on December 11, 2012 | Leave a comment

I just LOVE broccoli cheese soup. Back in my (much) younger days, I worked as a waitress at Applebee’s and on the day of the week that broccoli cheese soup was scheduled, they would always run out because the wait staff would eat it all. Not just me. It was great.

I’ve tried a few recipes over the years and they were all fine but this one is the recipe I’ve been looking for, but didn’t know it. It’s heavenly. It’s thick, creamy, velvety….I could go on and on. Make sure you have some nice bread to sop up every last bite, we used crescent rolls because I’m a crescent roll freak. This soup is SO good that even my super picky daughter ate a few bites and declared it yummy!

Broccoli Cheese Soup

Broccoli Cheese Soup
Recipe adapted from Allrecipes

Ingredients:
1 stick butter
1 onion, chopped
1/4 cup cooking sherry
2 16-oz pkgs. frozen broccoli, or fresh (I used 2 heads fresh)
4 cans chicken broth
1 2-lb. loaf Velveeta cheese, cubed
2 cups milk (I used 1% but who are we kidding with all this cheese and butter?!)
1 tbsp garlic powder
2/3 cup cornstarch
1 cup water

Method:
In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onions and a sprinkle of salt and start to saute’. Add the cooking sherry and cook until the onions are soft. Add the broccoli, toss to mix in all the onions, then add the cans of chicken broth. Simmer uncovered until the broccoli is soft, it may take a little while longer with fresh broccoli.

Once the broccoli is soft, slowly start adding in the cheese cubes, stirring well, until it is all added and melted. Add the milk and garlic powder and mix in well. Watch your heat now because the cheese will easily stick to the bottom of the pot, stir often.

In a bowl, mix together the cold water and cornstarch and add to the soup. Bring up to a low boil then reduce the heat, the soup will thicken. Once it’s ready you’ll want to turn it off so it doesn’t stick.

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Posted in Soups, Stews, Chili and Gumbo, Vegetarian

Smoked Pork and Black Eyed Pea Gumbo

Posted on October 14, 2012 | Leave a comment

Cochon and Cochon Butcher in New Orleans are two yummy restaurants. A few years ago before I had eaten there, I looked up their menu online and was interested to see that they had some recipes posted. One was for a black-eyed pea gumbo. I was intrigued and saved the recipe.

Over the last few years I always thought about making that recipe, but it always seemed like something my guests would be weirded out at. Finally I decided to just make it and see what happened. I got all the ingredients before actually reading the recipe, and seeing that the pork was to be smoked. My husband was at work and the weather report was calling for rain the next day, so if it was going to be smoked it was going to be me doing it. After consulting with both my dad and my husband on the phone (many phone calls!) I was proud to say I smoked the meat all on my own. I used pecan wood and a Hunters Game Rub from the Baton Rouge company Red Stick Spice. I was so excited by the great smoke ring the meat had.

And my guests? Loved it. In fact, the guest that was the most skeptical asked for the recipe! It had a ton of flavor and wasn’t hard at all to make – instead of smoking the meat you could always go to a bbq joint and get some already smoked pork. I’m sure the original recipe intended for you to use fresh black eye peas and greens, but I just didn’t have the time and the canned worked just fine. There was not a whole lot of black eye peas, if you want more of that you can use two cans.

Smoked Pork and Black Eyed Pea Gumbo

Smoked Pork and Black Eyed Pea Gumbo
Recipe adapted from Cochon

Ingredients:
1 cup oil/bacon grease
1 cup all-purpose flour
4 slices bacon
1 carton chicken broth
1 carton beef stock
1 can chicken broth
1 can beef broth
1 package frozen seasoning blend
1 spoon minced garlic
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tbsp thyme
2 tbsp file’ powder
4 tbsp Creole seasoning
1/2-3/4 tbsp salt
6 cups water
1 can black eye peas, rinsed and drained
1 can turnip greens, liquid drained (I used the Glory brand seasoned greens)
3 lb. smoked pork butt, cubed
1 can Rotel tomatoes
1 package sausage, cut into small rounds

Method:

In a small skillet, cook the four slices bacon until crisp. Set the bacon aside and pour the bacon grease into a 1 cup measuring cup. Add vegetable oil to the bacon grease, until it makes 1 cup oil/bacon grease. Pour the oil into a large stockpot and heat over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the flour and make a roux – you want it to be the same brown as a paper bag. Stir often, getting the corners of the pot to prevent burning.

Once the roux has reached the desired color, add your seasoning blend and minced garlic. Cook, stirring often until the vegetables are tender, thenadd the water to break up the roux. Once it comes to a slow boil again, add the rest of the ingredients. Crumble the bacon and add it in as well. Simmer a few hours, stirring occasionally. Skim the oil off of the top then taste for seasonings. Serve over rice or potato salad, or bot

My Smoked Pork Butt

: Smoked Pork and Black Eyed Pea Gumbo

Check out the smoke ring!

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Posted in Beans, Freezer-Friendly, Pork, Regional Louisiana, Soups, Stews, Chili and Gumbo

Crockpot Tomato Basil Parmesan Soup

Posted on May 1, 2012 | Leave a comment

I love tomato basil soup, and so do a few friends I know (ahem, Morgan) so this recipe should appeal to you. Plus, it’s a crockpot recipe, which just makes it that much better!

I spotted this recipe on Pinterest recently and didn’t take long at all to decide to make it. It was definitely my kind of crockpot recipe, just throw it all in there, turn it on and go on about your day! Despite having finely chopped the veggies, once it was done they were still a bit chunkier than I had in mind, so I simply used my immersion blender and puree’d them up. Perfecto!

Seriously, this was so delicious and simple, and really budget friendly so I have a feeling it will be gracing our table often. We had the soup with a side salad, but I’m betting a grilled cheese sandwich would be great also!

Crockpot Tomato Basil Parmesan Soup

Crockpot Tomato Basil Parmesan Soup
Recipe from 365 Days of Slow-Cooking

Ingredients:
2 14-oz cans diced tomatoes, with juice
1 cup finely diced celery
1 cup finely diced carrots
1 cup finely diced onion
1 tsp dried oregano, or 1 tbsp fresh
1 tbsp dried basil, or 1/4 cup fresh
4 cups chicken broth
1 bay leaf
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup butter
2 cups half and half, warmed (I used fat-free)
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

Method:
Add all of the ingredients through the bay leaf to the crockpot (which has been sprayed with nonstick spray). Cover and cook on LOW for 5-7 hours, until the vegetables are soft.

Thirty minutes before serving, melt butter in a large saucepan over low heat, then add the butter. Stir constantly for 5 minutes, then add one cup of the hot soup to this roux. Once all mixed, add another three cups. Whisk until smooth, then add all of this back to the crockpot. Add the Parmesan cheese, warmed half and half and your seasonings. Taste for seasoning and add extra seasoning or extra basil and oregano as needed. Cover and cook for another thirty minutes on LOW before serving.

If needed, you can use an immersion blender and puree.

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Posted in Crockpot, Money Savers, Soups, Stews, Chili and Gumbo

Crockpot Lentil Soup

Posted on February 13, 2012 | 3 Comments

I’ve never been a big fan of beans so lately I’ve been trying to “train” myself to like them. It’s working. I’m now a fan of black beans, so I figured I’d branch out some and bought a package of lentils. I see lots of recipes for lentils, so after looking through some I decided to go with a crockpot recipe.

This was super easy to make, you just throw everything into the crockpot. It is very hearty, despite being a meat-free soup. If you’re wondering, lentils are very earthy, they sort of remind me of black-eyed peas, just with a different texture. In fact, this soup reminded me a lot in taste of the black-eyed pea soup I make. My husband was skeptical he loved it, so did my three-year old daughter. It makes a ton, so you can freeze some for a rainy day!

Crockpot Lentil Soup

Crockpot Lentil Soup
Recipe adapted from I Was Born to Cook

Ingredients:
1 pkg dry lentils, rinsed and drained
1 can sliced carrots, with juice
1 onion, chopped
5 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp Italian seasonings
2 bay leaves
7 cups chicken broth
3 cups water
2 cans fire roasted diced tomatoes
6-8 shakes of hot sauce

Instructions:

Place all ingredients in a crock pot. Cook on LOW for 12 hours or HIGH for 5-6 hours. Discard bay leaves and serve.

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Posted in Beans, Crockpot, Freezer-Friendly, Light and Healthy, Money Savers, Soups, Stews, Chili and Gumbo, Vegetarian

Crockpot Chicken White Bean Pumpkin Chili

Posted on November 17, 2011 | 4 Comments

Long name, huh? I’ve been *trying* to be good with the diet lately, and one of my favorite winter foods is my white chicken chili. Unfortunately it’s not the healthiest thing in the world. Needless to say, I was thrilled when in the current recipe swap, I received a recipe for a white bean chili – that’s “skinny.” Thanks Ellie!

The original recipe called for using ground turkey, but to make it more like the one I like I opted to use chicken, I just used some shredded meat from a roast chicken. I’m sure that didn’t alter the calorie count too significantly. The chili was really great, it wasn’t exactly like my regular recipe since you’re not adding the gobs of cream, but it tasted great all the same. The only thing I would caution you on is to watch the cumin. I’m going to cut down the amounts in this recipe because what it called for was really way too much cumin. Serve this on a cold winter night – it’ll be great to come home to and your soul will be happy

P.S. Don’t worry about the pumpkin flavor – it adds nutrients and you honestly don’t even taste it – ask my husband!!

Crock Pot Chicken White Bean Pumpkin Chili
Recipe adapted from Ellie’s blog, The Wanna Be Cook

Ingredients:
1 large chicken breast, cooked and shredded
1/2 tsp olive oil
1 small onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp chili powder
2 bay leaves
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp white pepper
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
2 cans Great Northern beans, rinsed and drained
15 oz can pure pumpkin puree’
4.5 oz. can chopped green chilis
1 can low-sodium chicken broth
optional toppings: fat-free sour cream or greek yogurt, chopped cilantro, lower fat cheese.

Instructions:

Add all ingredients to a slow cooker sprayed with nonstick spray. Stir well to incorporate and cook either on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours. Serve and enjoy.

Crock Pot Chicken White Bean Pumpkin Chili

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Posted in Chicken, Crockpot, Light and Healthy, Pumpkin, Quick Fix, Soups, Stews, Chili and Gumbo

Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Posted on October 24, 2011 | Leave a comment

The other day it was cold and rainy. Since we were in 100+ degree heat and NO rain for the longest time, it was very welcome weather. Instead of making the roast chicken I had planned for that day, I decided the mood of the day really called for soup.

I really wanted to make a vegetable beef soup, but when I asked my husband what kind he wanted he said either chicken tortilla soup or some creamy chowder type. I really wanted that vegetable soup, which is NOT creamy so I decided we would meet in the middle and I concocted this chicken pot pie soup. I figured it’s got the filling that a pot pie would but in a chowder. I wasn’t sure what to do for the customary crust, so I figured a little crescent roll on the side to dip would do nicely. The end result was delicious, he was happy and I was happy and we all lived happily ever after.

Chicken Pot Pie Soup
Recipe a Cooking With Christen original

Ingredients:
2 tbsp butter
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and diced
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
about 1 cup frozen chunk potatoes with onion and peppers (I use Ore-Ida brand)
1 lb. frozen mixed vegetables (corn, peas, green beans)
6 cups chicken stock
1/4 cup cooking sherry
1 cup half and half
1 cup heavy whipping cream
Seasonings desired (I used Tony’s Chachere’s Creole Seasoning on the chicken and added a little thyme and salt later)
Crescent rolls for dipping

Instructions

Heat the butter over medium heat until it melts, add the chicken and season to taste. Cook until no longer pink inside, then add the onion and garlic and saute’ until soft.
Add the mixed vegetables and potatoes, all to cook until warmed through, a few minutes. You can add more butter at this point if needed, if it’s starting to stick.
Add the chicken stock and cooking sherry, cover and allow to simmer 30 minutes.
Stir in the half and half and whipping cream and allow to warm through. Taste for seasonings and serve with crescent rolls for dipping.

Chicken Pot Pie Soup

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Posted in Chicken, Soups, Stews, Chili and Gumbo

Mushroom and Brie Bisque with Puff Pastry Toppers

Posted on October 18, 2011 | 2 Comments

I really enjoyed participating in that last recipe swap, so I decided to do it again. This time the theme was “Soups” and the recipe I received was Mushroom and Brie Bisque with Puff Pastry Toppers. Yum!

This was really pretty easy to make, the hardest part was cutting away the rind from the brie (which wasn’t hard to do). I expected it to have more of a brie flavor, but that could have been just the type of brie I chose (a huge wheel of brie from Sam’s Club) but regardless, this soup was phenomenal. Its’ taste was great, rich and creamy with an earthiness from the mushrooms. My husband absolutely loved it and declared it in the Top 5 of all things I’ve made. Good thing too….gotta do something with all that leftover brie! Thanks for sharing, The Jey of Cooking!

Mushroom and Brie Bisque with Puff Pastry Toppers
Recipe from: The Jey of Cooking

Ingredients:
1/4 cup shallots, minced
16 oz. mushrooms, (I used regular white mushrooms, sliced)
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 tbsp butter
1/2 cup cooking Sherry
6 cups beef broth
2 cups half & half
1- 6 oz. wedge brie, rind removed
2 tbsp cornstarch
2 tbsp water
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 sheet puff pastry
1 egg, beaten with 2 tbsp water
Herbs de Provence

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 400.
Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the shallots and mushrooms and cook until softened. Add the garlic and cook another minute or so. Add the sherry and the broth and allow to simmer for ten minutes.
While that’s simmering, cut the pastry into squares, brush with the egg/water mixture and place on baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Sprinkle Herbs de Provence over the tops of each square and bake for 12 minutes, or until fluffy and golden on top.
Returning to the bisque, add the half and half and brie and allow to simmer, stirring until the cheese has melted completely. Mix cornstarch with 2 tbsp water and add into the soup. Whisk, bringing it to a boil to thicken. Remove from heat and add the cayenne pepper and nutmeg.
Garnish with a puff pastry square.

Mushroom and Brie Bisque with Puff Pastry Topper

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Posted in Soups, Stews, Chili and Gumbo

Chipotle Pork and Sweet Potato Posole

Posted on October 3, 2011 | 1 Comment

This past weekend marked the first official weekend of Fall. It’s one of my favorite times of year, I love the cooler temperatures and there is always so much fun stuff going on! It miraculously cooled off here so I wanted to cook something that would “feel” right with the weather.

I picked this posole recipe because in the picture, it looked a lot like chili and I love chili! I was a bit skeptical of how it would turn out because for one, it called for hominy (which is a main ingredient of posole, you shouldn’t substitute it) which I’ve heard mixed reviews on. Also, it called for TWO cans of chipotle chili peppers in adobo sauce, which equals super spicy! Now don’t get me wrong, I am no wimp when it comes to spice. But while I like spice, I also like to actually taste my food, not just spice. So my recommendation to you is that you only use ONE can. Also, the recipe called for leaving them whole, which is not very appealing to eat. I suggest either puree’ them or dice them. That’s how I’ll write the recipe.

It really was a great dish, it was hearty and the chipotle flavor is great, it is understandable how this was the winner in the entree category of the Sweet Potato Recipe Contest!

Special Note: The day after making this, I ended up with half of a can of pumpkin puree leftover from a baking project so rather than waste it, I stirred it into the posole and it was wonderful! It would be a great addition – I used probably about a cup!

Chipotle Pork and Sweet Potato Posole
Recipe adapted from Louisiana Cookin’, courtesy of Devon Delaney

Ingredients:
1 tbsp olive oil
1 lb. pork tenderloin, cut into cubes (I used thick pork chops)
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp fresh ground black pepper
1 sweet potato (about a pound), peeled and diced into 1/2 inch cubes
2 cups chicken stock
2 15-oz cans hominy, drained (I used one white hominy, one yellow hominy)
1 28-oz can crushed tomatoes
1 7-oz can chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, drained but 1 tbsp adobo sauce reserved and peppers chopped
1 4.5-oz can diced green chilis, drained
1 15-oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
desired toppings: cheese, cilantro, lime, avocado, sour cream

Instructions:

In a large pot, heat the oil over medium heat and add the pork.
Brown on all sides, then add the onion and garlic and cook until soft, about three minutes.
Add the oregano, cinnamon, salt and pepper and cook about a minute, until fragrant.
Add the sweet potatoes, stock, hominy, tomatoes, chili peppers and reserved adobo sauce and cook until it comes to a boil.
Reduce heat to med-low and simmer for about 15 minutes before adding the beans.
Cook uncovered for another ten minutes, then cover and let simmer for a half hour or so (the extra simmering is optional, I feel it tasted better that way). Serve with your favorite toppings.

Chipotle Pork and Sweet Potato Posole

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Posted in Beans, Pork, potatoes, Regional Louisiana, Soups, Stews, Chili and Gumbo

Vegetable Tortellini Soup

Posted on September 23, 2011 | Leave a comment

Our weather has been flip-flopping around like crazy lately, but it’s given us enough cool days to put us in a Fall state of mind. And I don’t know about you, but to me, Fall = pumpkins, apples, chili and soup!

This was a quick and easy soup and it was very fresh tasting. It was hearty without breaking the calorie-bank. In other words, it was great! We served it with some andouille and swiss chard hand pies, but I think it would also be great with a grilled cheese sandwich on a cold night!

Vegetable Tortellini Soup
Recipe adapted from Sing for Your Supper

Ingredients:
2 tbsp olive oil
1 small chopped onion
1 clove garlic, chopped
3 carrots, peeled and chopped
1/2 cup red wine
1 can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
1 medium zucchini, chopped
1 /2 box frozen chopped spinach, thawed
a few mushrooms, cleaned and chopped
4 cups chicken (or vegetable) broth
1 (12 oz.) pkg cheese tortellini (look in the freezer section near the breakfast items for the best value)
Seasonings to taste: Tony’s, salt, pepper

Instructions
In a large pot, heat the olive oil and add the onion and carrots. Cook until tender and add the garlic and cook for another minute. Add the wine and deglaze the pot (scrape off any bits from the bottom). Add in the tomatoes, zucchini, seasonings and broth and bring to a boil before reducing the heat and simmer for twenty minutes or until the vegetables are all soft. Stir in the spinach, mushrooms and tortellini and cook for another 15 minutes, or until the tortellini is completely warmed through (taste test!).

Vegetable Tortellini Soup

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Posted in Pasta, Soups, Stews, Chili and Gumbo

Turnip Stew

Posted on July 27, 2011 | Leave a comment

My husband LOVES turnips, it’s crazy how much he loves them. I sent him to the supermarket a few nights ago for some cheese and he comes back with a big bag of turnips. And it’s not even turnip season, but these turnips were really pretty!

He asked me to make turnip gratin, so I did that. That only used a few though. I know how much he likes old-school home cooking so I decided to make a turnip stew with the rest. It was really easy to make, it made the house smell great and it was delicious. Winner! He said that I have to keep the recipe because it tastes just like something his late grandmother MeMe used to make.

Turnip Stew
A Cooking With Christen Original

Ingredients:
4-6 turnips, peeled and chopped into small chunks
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
1/2 bell pepper, seeds removed and diced
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 sprig fresh thyme
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup flour
1 pkg. smoked sausage, cut into small rounds (I used pecan-smoked)
1- 32 oz. carton of chicken broth
Seasonings to taste: I used a little salt, Cajun seasoning, onion and garlic powders
1 tbsp corn starch
rice for serving

Method:
In a small pot (I used my enameled cast iron) make your roux: Heat the oil over medium heat until hot and add the flour, stir constantly with a silicone spatula (they work best for getting in the corners of the pot) and keep stirring it until the roux has reached the color of a brown paper bag.

Once it’s browned, add the onions, bell pepper and garlic. Stir in well and cook until they are softened. Add the turnips and carrots and sausage and cook for two or three minutes more. Add the chicken broth to break the roux up and add the sprig of thyme. Season lightly. Stir well and reduce heat to med-low and simmer until the turnips are tender and the sauce has thickened. If needed, you can add just a LITTLE water to 1 tbsp corn starch and then add to the stew to thicken it. Taste for seasonings and add what is needed. Serve hot over rice.