Easy-on-the Cream Broccoli Soup

I’m not very fond of cream and milk dishes, but one of my daughters requested Cream of Broccoli Soup. And what good mother would refuse her child broccoli when she asks?? So I made some, but went easy on the cream. This recipe turned out SO good. The entire family ate it up. This recipe really goes all out with the broccoli, too. We love it, so I really let myself go hog wild. Using the blender to puree half of the soup made it very rich.

Easy-On-the-Cream Broccoli Soup
serves 6-8

Two large bunches of broccoli, washed and cut (about 7-8 cups)
1 white onion, diced
6 cups chicken stock (or 3 cups stock, 3 cups water and 2 bouillon cubes)
2 red potatoes, skinned and diced
2 Tablespoons butter
1/4 cup Half-n-Half creamer

In a large stockpot, melt the butter and quickly saute the potatoes and onion. Add the stock. Allow to heat up. Add the broccoli all at once. Allow to cook (stir frequently) for about 15-20 minutes.

Ladle out some of the soup (about half) into a blender, and quickly puree. Return to the stockpot. Add the creamer and stir until heated.

Serve with fresh crusty bread, fresh carrots, and a nice spinach salad. It’s GREAT! You won’t be needing those home security systems after eating this, believe me– you will feel like Superman! I just love green food.

Crockpot Manhattan Clam Chowder

This is a savory, wonderful chowder. It’s perfect for rainy summer days, or winter evenings. I don’t know if it will win you any Vegas vacations in a cook-off but it will definitely win the heart of your family! And it’s so easy on the budget, it’s amazing. My kids all love it, and it is so easy to make. My recipe is not very soupy- it’s got lots of chunky goodness. Make all your ingredients slightly smaller than bite-size. And this chowder is even better made a day before and heated up.

Like everything I do, this is completely customizable. If you like spicy chowder, add a dash of Tabasco sauce. Don’t like bacon or sausage? Use ground turkey sausage. Like more greens or yellows? Throw in some freshly chopped spinach or leftover corn. Just keep in mind that the more you add to your chowder, the more dilute the seasoning becomes. Always do a taste test before serving, and add salt or pepper or garlic powder accordingly. This is my tried-and-true chowder recipe.

Crockpot Manhattan Clam Chowder
Serves 6-9

1/2 pound of bacon, cooked, drained, and chopped
1/2 pound ground sausage, cooked and drained
4 cans undrained, minced clams– save that juice!
2 28oz cans of petite, diced tomatoes
4 medium potatoes, diced into small cubes (I leave the skins on the potatoes)
1 large Vidalia onion, chopped well
1/2 green bell pepper, seeded and diced
1 Tablespoon basil
2 teaspoons oregano
1 teaspoon Worchestershire sauce
Throw everything in the pot, including the clam juice. Stir a few times. Cover and set on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 8-9 hours. Add salt and pepper to taste. Allow to cool off a little before serving.

This chowder is terrific served with garlic bread and a small, light salad.

Photo courtesy of LATimes.

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