It is the time of year when we crave foods that warm us. There is nothing quite like homemade soups to get the job done. The aroma of all those ingredients simmering on the stove will have your family asking," is it dinner time yet?" One of the great things about soup, is it versability. For instance when making vegetable soup, it is your option as to what vegetables will go in. The changing of vegetables will give your soup a different taste and you will avoid the chance of your family vetoing soup. There are many great vegetable soup recipes available, select one that appeals to you and then get creative. It is easy with vegetable soup to make substutions without destroying the outcome.

To get the most from your soup recipes, keep the following tips in mind.

*When preparing soups that call for beef select beef that is well trimmed round or the leanest ground beef. Be as selective as you would when selecting meat for any other recipe.

*Soups will not loose there flavor if you prepare them ahead of time. If you plan to freeze soup, let it cool first. Select air tight containers to freeze your soup in.

*If any fat does rise to the top and hardens during refrigeration, skim it off before reheating.

*When using fresh vegetables make sure they are washed throughly.

*To add variety to your soup meals, make sure to change your side items, for instance instead of plain corn bread try Mexican cornbread or hot water cornbread.

If you are trying to cut your grocery cost, serve soups often. Not only are soups good for us, they are filling and the ingredients for most soups are relatively inexpensive. Utlize sales from your local grocery stores when frozen or canned vegetables are on sale and stock up. Soups can be served as the main course dish or as an appetizer. Remember, home made soups make great items to include in gift baskets. Inexpensive decorative jars can be purchased from most dollar stores, include a nice ceramic bowl or large cup, add homemade bread, crackers and a favorite tea or hot chocolate. The soup gift basket has been an all time favorite of friends, co-workers and neighbors for many years. It allows me to give to those that normally I would not be able to. Each basket is unique in the sense that it is created specifically for the friend that it goes to.

Below are several easy and inexpensive soup recipes that will both warm the soul and fill the stomach of your family members.

Congressional Bean Soup

2 pounds Navy beans

1 Smoked ham hock or pound bacon

1 tsp. Salt

1 tsp. Pepper

Directions:

1. Put beans in a large pot. Cover with cold water and soak overnight. 2. Add ham hock or bacon. 3. Bring to a boil over medium heat. 4. Reduce heat to low. Simmer 2 hours. 5. Add salt and pepper.

*Serves 6.

Easy Creamy Potato Soup

6 Turkey bacon slices

1 cup Onions, chopped

1 lb. Potato, thin-skinned, cut into inch cubes

2 cups Chicken broth

3 tbs. Flour

2 1/2 cups Milk,

1% low fat tsp. Salt

1 tsp. Pepper,

1 cup freshly ground cup Parsley springs, chopped

In a large Dutch oven or soup pot, cook bacon until crisp. Remove bacon and drain on paper towels. When cool, chop bacon into small pieces and set aside. Add onion to bacon drippings and cook until translucent. Add potatoes and broth to pot. Cover and bring to a boil. Simmer until potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork (about 10 minutes).

Take a small bowl or jar, blend flour and heat until boiling, stirring frequently. Boil one minute then turn off heat. Stir in salt, pepper and parsley. Ladle soup into bowls and sprinkle with bacon bits. To complete your meal add freshly made bread or cornbread and a simple toss salad.

Learn more about this author, Hazel Webb.
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