Minestrone Soup

2 whole chicken breasts, cooked and shredded.
4 cups water
1 lb. Italian sausage, cooked and drained
2 carrots, peeled and sliced
2 zucchini peeled & sliced
1 diced onion
2 28 oz. Cans diced tomatoes
1 cup kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 T garlic powder
1 tsp. Salt
Dash pepper
2 T dried parsley flakes
½ tsp. Basil leaves
1 bay leaf
8 oz. pasta of your choice

Mix everything together except the sausage and chicken.  Cook until vegetables are tender.  Add meats and simmer until flavors mix.  

Mom

Taco Soup

1 can kidney beans, drained
1 can chili beans, drained
2 lg. cans diced tomatoes
2 cans diced green chiles
1 can corn, drained (or can use frozen)
2 cans tomato sauce
1 packet of taco seasoning
1 small bottle of mild salsa
1 T. Sugar
Salt and pepper to taste
1-1/2  lb. hamburger
1 onion
Mix everything together.  Brown hamburger and chopped onions, drain and add to other mixture.  Serve with sour cream and grated cheese over tortilla chips.

Mom

Chicken Cilantro Soup

1. Meat from one chicken (I use a rotisserie chicken from Sams/costco)
2 onions
2 TBS minced garlic (fresh)
2 tsp. chili powder
2 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. salt
pepper to taste
7 chicken boullion cubes
6 c. water
5 bay leaves
2 handfuls chopped, fresh cilantro
6 small cans mild, chopped green chilies--pureed
2 cans black beans--drained
2 cans diced tomatoes--not drained
fresh juice of one lime
Add generous amount of olive oil to a stockpot. Carmelize the onions and garlic in olive oil. Add all powdered spices to carmelized onions and sautee for another minute or two. Dissolve the bullion cubes in the water and add to onion/spice mixture. Add bay leaves and chicken (I shred it with a fork into pieces) and bring to a boil. Let simmer. Puree the diced chilies in a blender and add to mixture. Add drained cans of beans and undrained cans of tomatoes. Let simmer another ten minutes or so to allow flavors to seep together. Coarsely chop cilantro and add to the soup along with the lime juice. Remove bay leaves before serving. I like to serve with a garnish of sour cream, grated cheese and cilantro on top.  Enjoy!

This is Alicia's yummy recipe.

Award Winning White Chicken Chili

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
2 cans great northern beans, rinsed
1 whole white onion, diced
1 yellow bell pepper, diced
1 can corn or hominy
2 bulb fresh garlic, minced
3-4 pasilla, anaheim, or poblano peppers, diced
1/2 cup white wine
1 can chicken broth
2 tsp cumin powder
1 tsp coriander powder
1 T ground white pepper
3 T olive oil
1 lime, squeezed for juice
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup shredded pepper jack cheese

Heat olive oil in large saute pan to medium-high heat, add garlic, onions and chicken. Saute for 10-15 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink.

In a large dutch oven (or pot) add chicken broth, cumin, coriander, ground white pepper, lime juice, pasilla (or anaheim or poblano) peppers, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, cover with lid, and let simmer for 15-20 minutes. Add the chicken, garlic, and onion mixture, plus the corn, beans, yellow bell pepper and white wine.

Cover and let simmer for approximately 55 minutes.

When finished, remove from heat and stir in the sour cream. Garnish with the shredded pepper jack cheese and serve.

This is a 2 time ward chili cookout winner and was served at the White House. I've actually been asked to appear as a guest judge on Top Chef based on this chili. Enjoy and protect this recipe with your life.

Greg

Very Healthy Taco Soup

2 lbs ground beef
2 med onions
2 cans chili beans
2 cans kidney beans
2 cans pinto beans
2 cans black beans
2 cans diced tomatoes w/garlic and onions
16 oz tomato sauce
2 cans corn
2 cans hominy
2 cans diced chilies (small cans)
4 cups water
2 packages taco seasoning
2 packages ranch dressing mix

Brown the beef and onions together. Add everything to a pot and heat on medium, stirring occasionally, until hot to taste.

As you can imagine, this makes a TON, but it freezes really well. We make this about every 3 months and use it for lunches. It is DELICIOUS. You can swap out any beans you want really, but don't skip the taco seasoning and ranch dressing packets, which are what make this really delicious.

Julie