SOUPS
BUTTERNUT SQUASH
  • Container (or two) of cube butternut squash - there is zero point in trying to cut the squash yourself.
  • Vegetable broth
  • ​Buttermilk
CABBAGE SOUP
  • 1 cabbage head - diced
  • Can of diced tomatoes (nothing worse than a can of non-diced tomatoes)
  • Some garlic
  • Two yellow onions
  • A few carrots - put through a slicer - or just pick up pre-sliced carrots
  • Vegetable broth - enough to cover the cabbage
This is a low calorie dish that also acts as a bit of a colon cleanse thus I typically prepare it under two scenarios - I've just returned from a vacation or I need to kick start weight loss. For my tasting pallet, I find that dicing the cabbage (vs. using cut strands) and adding some garlic give this dish a much needed flavor kick and better texture. Even with that, while this dish makes enough for about ten bowls, I throw in the towel somewhere between five and seven bowls.

Drop the cabbage into a large pot. Fill the pot with the vegetable broth until the cabbage is covered. Add a bit of garlic. Cook until the cabbage starts to soften. Add the onions. Add the carrots. Cook a little longer. Add the tomatoes. The tomato can adds a bit more liquid - if the dish is a bit too "soupy" drain some of the vegetable broth before adding the tomatoes. Cook another five minutes. It's done.
CHICKEN CORN CHOWDER
In large soup pot cook six slices of bacon. Remove bacon. Cook two cups of cooked, bite size chicken pieces.
Then add to saute:
  • 3 TBS butter
  • 1/2 cup chopped celery
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 2 cups of diced potatoes
  • 1/2 cup of chopped carrot
Stir in 3 TBS of flour and 2 1/2 cups of chicken broth. Stir in one cup of corn kernels. Add chicken and bacon. Add 1 1/2 cups of half and half.
POTATO SOUP (CLASSIC)
In large pot, sauté 3 TBS of butter, 1 diced onion, 1 diced celery stalk. Add 7-8 chopped potatoes. Water to cover. Cook until tender. Then, add 2 cups of milk and 3 sliced hard-boiled eggs.
POTATO SOUP (CREAMY)
SAUSAGE TORTELLINI SOUP
​Cook 1 pound of Italian sweet sausage with 1 diced onion. Transfer to a pot and bring the following to a boil:
  • 1 diced tomato
  • 2 peeled and sliced carrots
  • 1 sliced zucchini
  • 1 can condensed zesty tomato soup
  • 1 can condensed tomato soup
  • 3 cups water
  • 1/2 tsp dried basil
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
Reduce heat, then add: 2 cups of cheese tortellinis. Simmer for 45-60 minutes.
TARATOR