Crock-Pot Stuffed Pepper Soup

It's recipe swap time again and this time the theme was soups and stews. I was given Crock-Pot Stuffed Pepper Soup from Hezzi-D's Books & Cooks. My man is not a big fan of tomatoes or bell peppers but I am! This recipe is super good and would be excellent on a cold night. Today is was 78 degrees in Georgia but I still enjoyed the soup. My best friend is excited to get a container of soup tomorrow!

Crock-Pot Stuffed Bell Pepper Soup:

1 pound ground beef
1 package of dry onion soup mix (I used two)

1 large can (28 oz) of diced tomatoes with garlic

1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
3 large green bell peppers, chopped into 1 inch pieces
½ large onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 beef bouillon cubes (I used 3)
1/8 c. brown sugar
2 T. vinegar (preferably apple cider vinegar)
2 t oregano
1 t. black pepper
4 c. water
1 c. cooked white rice
Mozzarella cheese (to top the soup)

1. In a large skillet brown the ground beef. Put it in the crock-pot.

2. Combine the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and dry onion soup mix in the crock-pot. Mix well. Add in the peppers, onion, garlic, bouillon cubes, brown sugar, and water. Stir well.

3. Sprinkle with oregano, black pepper, and vinegar. Give it a stir. Cook on low heat for 8 hours. Add in the cooked rice and cook for an additional hour. Serve topped with mozzarella cheese.

Cream of Tomato Soup with Pesto

We have a great bakery here in Atlanta called Alon's. They have the best Tomato Soup I have ever had. Since I no longer work next door to the bakery I have been craving this delicious soup for about 6 months! I found this simple recipe that comes really, really close to the delicacy I have been spoiled by. Make sure your puree the soup well or it will be chunky. Good either way but I did not like having to "chew" this soup.

Cream of Tomato Soup with Pesto:

Ingredients:

• 1 (32 fluid ounce) container chicken broth
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes with garlic and onion
• 1 cup half-and-half cream
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons basil pesto

Directions:

Pour chicken broth into a large saucepan, and bring to a boil. Boil until reduced by about 1/3. Pour in both cans of the tomatoes, and return to a simmer. Pour in the half-and-half, and turn heat to low. Simmer for 15 minutes. Puree in batches in a blender, or use an immersion blender in the pan. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Ladle into bowls, and swirl in a spoonful of pesto before serving.

Chicken Taco Soup

I found this wonderful recipe from Mrs. Sac's Purple Kitchen. Her recipe uses the crock pot but mine had stuff in it already so I made it on the stove. It was a super yummy recipe that even my husband liked (he doesn't like my soups). It is definitely a keeper! :)

Chicken Taco Soup:

1 onion, chopped
1 (16 ounce) can chili beans
1 (15 ounce) can black beans
1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle beer
2 (10 ounce) cans diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
1 (1.25 ounce) package taco seasoning
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts cooked and shredded (I used leftover rotisserie chicken)
shredded Cheddar cheese (optional)
sour cream (optional)
crushed tortilla chips (optional)

Place the onion, chili beans, black beans, corn, tomato sauce, beer, and diced tomatoes in a soup pot and place on the stove. Add taco seasoning, and stir to blend. Add chicken breasts and combine with other ingredients. Set heat on low, cover, and simmer for 1-2 hours. Serve topped with shredded Cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and crushed tortilla chips, if desired.

Chicken Noodle Soup

My man was sick and asked me to make him some soup. What's better than chicken noodle soup when you are sick?? Nothing. :)

Chicken Noodle Soup:

Rotissere chicken
Carrots
Celery
Salt
Noodles

Boil chicken, cool. Remove meat from bones, discard waste. Chop carrots and celery. Bring broth to a boil, add noodles, carrots, chicken, and celery. Cook till noodles and veggies are soft. Add salt to taste.