Tex Mex Turkey Soup

This delicious recipe is from my amazing friend, Karen. She is such a good cook and I love trying everything that comes out of her kitchen. This soup is a nice change from the traditional, uses up leftover turkey (or like I do, buy one on sale around the holidays, cook it up and freeze it for recipes like this) and will leave you fighting for any leftovers. 

 

Tex Mex Turkey Soup

1 Tbsp. olive oil
1/2 c. minced onion
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. oregano
4 c. water
1 can tomato soup
1 (28 oz.) can diced tomatoes
1 c. salsa
4 c. shredded cooked turkey
1 Tbsp. dried parsley
3 chicken bouillon cubes
1 can black beans
2 c. frozen corn
1/2 c. sour cream
1/4 c. chopped cilantro

Cook onion and garlic in heated oil ~4 min. until soft. Add chili powder, cumin and oregano, cook for 1 minute longer. Stir in water, soup, tomatoes, salsa, turkey, parsley and bouillon, bring to a boil and simmer 5 minutes longer. Add remaining ingredients and simmer 20-30 minutes. Serve with:

6 c. corn tortilla chips
3/4 c. green onions, chopped
1 c. shredded cheese
1/2 c. chopped cilantro
1/2 c. sour cream

Let everyone put on desired toppings and enjoy :)

Tomato Soup

My husband loves tomato soup from a can, I'm not sure how this is better than a homemade soup from scratch but nonetheless it's a staple of his. This is a quick and easy recipe from my childhood that dresses up that can of tomato soup and makes it a bit heartier, it's one of those recipes that you just throw in general amounts, so I'll try my best to put a measurement to each of the ingredients. You can adjust the spiciness by how much of the taco seasoning you add, we like it on the mild side but the original recipe asks for the whole package.

 

Tomato Soup

3 c. water
~200 g. spaghetti noodles, broken into 1" pieces
1 lb. ground beef
3 stalks celery, thinly sliced
1 onion, diced
1/2-1 pkg. taco seasoning
4 cans tomato soup
4 cans water
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 1/2 tsp. parsley
1/2 c. milk

In a large pot boil water and noodles until thick. Meanwhile fry beef, celery and onion until beef is cooked through. When noodles are done combine all the ingredients in the large pot and heat through, enjoy :)

Cheddar Ham Chowder

My mom has made this recipe for as long as I can remember, and it is soo good. Perfect for a chilly fall day (and even better served in a bread bowl ;))

Cheddar Ham Chowder

2 c. water
2 c. cubed, peeled potatoes
1/2 c. sliced carrots
1/2 c. sliced celery
1/4 c. chopped onion
1/2-1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/4 c. butter (or margarine)
1/4 c. flour
2 c. milk
2 c. cheddar cheese, shredded
1 can (or 1 cup frozen) corn
1 1/2 c. cubed ham

Boil water, first 4 veggies, and seasoning for 10 minutes. Meanwhile melt butter in saucepan, whisk in flour until smooth, slowly whisk in milk, cook and stir until thick and bubbly. Remove from heat, stir in cheese until melted. Add to vegetables, add corn and ham, heat through, stirring occasionally.

This recipe also freezes well.