Baked Potato Soup

Baked Potato Soup
3 lbs. red potatoes
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup flour
2 quarts half−and−half
1 pound block Velveeta cheese, melted
White pepper, to taste
Garlic powder, to taste
1 tsp. hot pepper sauce
1/2 lb. bacon, fried crisply
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 cup fresh chives, chopped
1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Dice unpeeled red potatoes into 1/2−inch cubes. Place in a large Dutch oven,
cover with water and bring to a boil. Let boil for 10 minutes or until
almost cooked. In a separate large Dutch oven, combine melted margarine and
flour, mixing until smooth. Place over low heat and gradually add
half−and−half, stirring constantly. Continue to stir until smooth and liquid
begins to thicken. Add melted Velveeta. Stir well. Drain potatoes and add to
cream mixture. Stir in pepper, garlic powder and hot pepper sauce. Cover and
cook over low heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Place soup into
individual serving bowls and top with crumbled bacon, shredded cheese,
chives and parsley.

Potato Cheese Soup

Potato Cheese Soup
8 Cups potatoes; peeled and cubed
2 Cups chopped onion
4 Cups chopped celery
2 Teaspoons salt
4 Cups water
4 Cups Half−and−half
6 Tablespoons butter or margarine
1 Cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Place potatoes, onions, celery, and salt in the 4 c of water in a large
pot. Simmer about 15 minutes until vegetables are tender. Put in
blender and puree until chunky. Return soup to pot and add half−and−half,
butter, and cheese. Simmer until hot. Do NOT Boil.

Chili

Chili
1 pound ground chuck
1 15−ounce can of diced tomatoes (liquid included)
1 15−ounce can of red kidney beans (liquid drained)
1 15−ounce can of pinto beans (liquid drained)
1 8−ounce can Hunt's tomato sauce
1/2 medium white onion, diced
1 4−ounce can diced green chilies (with liquid)
2 Tablespoons chopped celery
2 Tablespoons chili powder
1/2 Tablespoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 cup water
1. Brown the ground chuck over medium heat, breaking into small pieces with
the spatula. Add a dash of salt and pepper while cooking.
2. Empty the cooked meat into a spaghetti strainer, and rinse well under
very hot water. This removes the bulk of the fat.
3. Transfer the beef into a dutch oven, and add the remaining ingredients.
Stir together to combine thoroughly.
4. Over medium heat, bring to a simmer. Reduce the burner to low, and
continue simmering 50−60 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Bread Bowls

Bread Bowls
2 1/2 cups warm water (105−115 degrees Fahrenheit)
2 packages active dry yeast
1 Tbsp. salt
1 Tbsp. sugar
2 Tbsp. oil
6 1/2 − 7 1/2 cups bread flour
1 egg, beaten
1 Tbsp. milk
Measure warm water into large bowl. Sprinkle in yeast; stir until dissolved.
Add salt, sugar, oil and 3 cups flour; beat until smooth. Add enough
additional flour to make a stiff dough. Turn out onto lightly floured board;
knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 to 12 minutes. Place dough in bowl
that has been lightly coated with nonstick spray, turning to grease top.
Cover; let rise in warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
Grease outside of 12, 10−ounce custard cups or oven−proof bowls of similar
size.
Punch dough down; divide into 12 pieces. Cover and let rest 10 minutes.
Spread each piece into a circle about 6 inches in diameter. Place over
outside of bowl, working dough with hands until it fits. Set bowls, dough
side up, on baking sheet that has been coated with nonstick spray. Cover
with plastic wrap; let rise in warm place until doubled, about 30 minutes.
Combine egg and milk; gently brush mixture on dough. Bake at 400 degrees
Fahrenheit for 15 minutes until golden brown. Using potholders, carefully
remove the bowls. Set bread bowls open side up on baking pan; bake 5
minutes. Makes 12 servings.
For larger bowls, use oven−proof bowls that are approximately 6 inches in
diameter. Divide dough into 6 portions. Frozen bread dough also can be used.
A 1−pound loaf will make 2 large or 4 small bowls.

Broccoli−Cheese Soup

Broccoli−Cheese Soup
1 1/2 pounds broccoli, fresh
2 cups water
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup cornstarch, mixed with 1 cup cold water
1 pint half and half
1 pound Velveeta
1/2 teaspoon pepper
Steam or boil broccoli until tender.
Place half−and−half and 2 cups water in top of double boiler.
Add cheese, salt and pepper. Heat until cheese is melted.
Add broccoli. Mix cornstarch and water in small bowl.
Stir into cheese mixture in double boiler and heat over
simmering water until soup thickens.

Taco Soup

Taco Soup
1 lb. hamburger
1 pkg. taco seasoning
2 cans of beans (black, kidney, red etc.)
1 can of corn
1 can diced tomatoes

Toppings:
Sour cream
grated cheese
Taco Chips

Cook hamburger until browned. Add taco seasoning and beans, corn, and tomatoes. (Be sure to include all liquid from cans.) Heat through. Serve over chips and add toppings.

Rian’s Sheepherder Beans

Rian’s Sheepherder Beans
Ingredients:
2 cups dry beans (whatever kind you have, or like)
1 lb ham hock or bacon
2 onions
Tabasco Sauce (as much as you can stand)
2 Tbl spoon vegetable oil (to keep the beans from foaming over)
2 tsp. salt
2 regular size cans Campbell’s Tomato Soup
2 quarts water

Directions:
Combine beans, water, ham hock (if you are using bacon, cut into 1 inch squares, fry and add later after the beans are cooked) 1 of the onions (diced or sliced), vegetable oil and salt in crock-pot. Cook on high about 2-3 hours. Add water if need.

Add another onion (sliced) and more water if needed. (if using bacon add at this time. Use some of the bacon grease for added flavor.)

Boil until onion is soft, but not mushy.
Add tomato soup and Tabasco Sauce to taste (about 4 shakes)

Simmer for about 15 minutes.

Tortilla Soup
1 − 2 1/2−3lb. chicken, cut−up and skin removed
2 ribs celery, cut into chunks
1 med. onion, quartered
1 large carrot, quartered
2 sprigs parsley
2 tbls. chicken soup base
1 teas. lemon−pepper seasoniong
1 large clove garlic or granulated garlic to taste
Combine all the above in a large stockpot and cover with
water by about 2 inches. Bring to a rapid boil; lower heat to a
simmer and cook for about 1 hour until chicken is tender and falling
off the bone. Strain and reserve the broth. Tear pieces of chicken
into small pieces. Set aside.
In 4 cups of the reserved chicken broth, boil about 1 1/2 lbs
peeled potatoes until tender. Remove from heat. Do not remove the
broth....mash up the potatoes and add the following:
1 large can of creamed corn
1 10oz. can of Rotel tomatoes, crushed
1 1/2 cups half & half cream
2−4 tablespoons minced cilantro
Add enough of the reserved chicken broth to thin out the soup to
the desired thickness. Simmer on low for about 15−20 minutes.
Taste and correct seasoning. Be careful of adding too much salt.
Moments before serving, stir in:
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
reserved cut−up chicken
4−6 corn tortillas, cut into 1/4" julienne strips
Continue to simmer until cheese is melted and chicken is heated
through.
To Serve:
Ladle soup into deep bowls. Garnish with a dollop of sour cream,
chunks of avocado dipped in lemon juice, slices of black olives and
a small handful of thin corn tortilla strips that have been deep fried.

Baked Potato Soup

Baked Potato Soup
2 Cups potatoes, diced but unpeeled
1/4 lb butter
2 Cups finely diced yellow onions
1/2 Cup flour
1 quart warm water
1/4 Cup chicken bouillon
1 Cup potato flakes
2 Cups heavy cream
2 Cups milk
1/2 teaspoon Tabasco
Salt, pepper, garlic powder and dried basil to taste
Saute onions in melted butter for 10 minutes in large kettle. Add flour
to onions and butter and cook for four to five minutes, stirring until
flour is absorbed.
In a separate container, combine water, chicken bouillon, potato flakes,
and seasonings. Stir until thoroughly mixed and no lumps remain.
Add to onion mixture, one pint at a time.
Add milk and cream, stirring until smooth and lightly thickened.
Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
In a separate container, the potatoes should be covered with water,
brought to a boil, and simmered for 20 minutes.
Combine the potatoes with the soup to complete.

Black Bean Soup

Black Bean Soup
12 oz. dried black beans
8 cups chicken or vegetable stock
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 cup carrots, chopped
1 cup celery, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Fresh cilantro (optional)
Rinse and sort though black beans, discarding any that are
shriveled or discolored. Place beans in a large stockpot.
Cover beans with water and refrigerate to soak overnight.
Drain beans and return to stockpot.
Add stock and heat to boiling.
Meanwhle, heat olive oil over medium−high heat in a large
skillet. Add onion, carrot, celery and garlic and saute until
tender, approximately 5 minutes. Add to stockpot along with
oregano, thyme, bay leaf and cayenne pepper.
Cover stockpot and reduce heat to simmer for 3 to 4 hours.
Transfer soup to blender or food processor and puree to
desired thickness. Just before serving add lime juice and
garnish with a sprig of fresh cilantro, if desired.
Add salt and pepper to taste and serve.