WALKABOUT ONION SOUP (Outback Steakhouse)

2 T butter
2 c thinly sliced sweet yellow onions
3 T butter
4 T flour
¼ t salt
1 ½ c milk
1 (15 oz) can chicken broth
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp freshly-ground pepper
2 chicken bouillon cubes (low sodium)
1/3 cup shredded cheddar (or velveeta)
shredded Cheddar cheese (for garnish)

Place 2T butter and sliced onions In a 2-quart saucepan. Cook over low to medium heat stirring frequently until soft and clear but not brown.

In a med saucepan melt butter and add flour, cook on medium heat until the flour turns thick. Pour in milk, a little at a time, and stir constantly, add salt. Mixture should thicken and become like thick pudding. Remember to stir constantly, taking care not to let mixture lump. Remove from heat and set aside.

To the onions add chicken broth, chicken bouillon cubes, salt and pepper. Stir until completely heated through. Add white sauce and cheese. Simmer on medium low heat until the cheese is melted and all ingredients are blended, stirring constantly. Let cook on low for additional 30 to 45 minutes.

MEXICAN CORN CHOWDER (Kim S)

 2 1/2 c chopped cooked chicken
11 oz can of corn
14.5 oz can diced tomatoes, drained
1 can of cream of potato soup
4 oz can of green chilies
2 T. fresh cilantro
1 pkg taco seasoning mix
3 cups of chicken broth
8 oz of sour cream
4oz cheddar cheese or velveeta

In the crock pot, combine chicken, corn, tomatoes, soup, undrained chilies, cilantro, and taco seasoning.  Mix well.  Stir in chicken broth.  Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or high for 4 to 5. Stir 1 cup of the hot soup into the sour cream.  Stir sour cream mixture and cheese into the crock pot.  Cover and let stand 5 minutes.  Stir until combined.

PASTA FAGIOLI (Olive Garden)

This recipe could not be easier and tastes so good, just like the restaurant without the wait time. The perfect one pot dinner and it practically cooks itself.

1lb lean ground beef, browned and drained
      (may substitute ground turkey or an additional can of beans for vegetarian)
1/2 large red onion, chopped
1c carrots, chopped
1 celery stalk, sliced
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (and juice)
1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
2 cups beef broth
1/2 of jar (16.5 oz) pasta sauce
2 tsp oregano
salt and pepper
1 T Tabasco sauce (optional)
1/2 cup dry pasta (I like ditalini), to add at end of cooking time

Put all ingredients into crock pot, except pasta. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours, or high for 4. Add pasta for the last hour of cooking time.  May top with parmesan cheese to serve.

RUSTIC ITALIAN CHICKEN

2-4 chix breasts or 2.5 lbs chicken thighs
salt & pepper
4t garlic
8oz sliced mushrooms
1 red pepper, sliced
1 onion, sliced thin
2/3 c marsala wine or chicken broth
14.5oz can of diced tomatoes
2t basil or 2T pesto
2T capers
2t parsley

Place chicken in a crock pot. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and garlic.  Arrange red pepper, mushrooms, and onion.  Pour wine over top.  Add tomatoes, pesto, capers, and parsley.  Cover and cook on low 5-6 hours, stirring occasionally.  

WHITE BEAN SOUP (Southern Living)

This is a great winter recipe.  It is so easy.  The ingredients are cheap and usually on hand.  And it's a great way to eat more beans or have a meatless dinner.


3 cans Great Northern Beans, rinsed and drained
2T butter
1 onion, chopped
3 celery stalks, chopped
5t garlic
6c chicken broth
2 bay leaves
thyme
1/4 c rice wine vinegar (may sub red wine/ or white vinegar)
salt and black pepper
white truffle oil or olive oil

Melt butter in pot.  Saute onion, celery, and garlic for 10 min.  Add beans, broth, spices, and boil.  Simmer 30-60 min.  Remove from heat, stir in vinegar and salt.  Blend with hand blender to desired consistency.  Drizzle with truffle oil or EVOO before serving.

HONEY POACHED PEARS (Aida Mollenkamp)

4 ripe but firm Bartlett pears (about 2 1/2 pounds), halved, cored
3 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup brandy  
cinnamon
4 whole cloves
Whipped cream or ice cream, for serving

Heat oven to 400*F. Place pears cut side down in a 3-quart baking dish. Combine honey, butter, and brandy.  Drizzle over pears and sprinkle with cinnamon and cloves. Roast pears, basting occasionally, until they are knife tender, about 35 to 40 minutes. Serve with whipped cream or ice cream.

LAZY PORK HOT POT (Aida Mollenkamp)

1 1/2 quart (6 cups) low-sodium chicken broth
1/4 cup sherry
6 tablespoons soy sauce
5tsp garlic  
4t ginger
4 oz shiitake (or other) mushrooms, sliced
Carrots, shredded 
Snap (or snow) peas
Cellophane noodles (or ramen, spaghetti, etc)
3/4 pound pork tenderloin, cubed
3 green onions, thinly sliced on bias, for serving

Combine broth, sherry, soy, garlic, ginger, mushrooms, carrots, and peas in a medium pot. Bring to a boil over high heat then reduce heat to low.  Add noodles and simmer until broth is infused with flavors, about 30 minutes. Turn heat up to medium and add pork and cook until just cooked through, about 5 minutes. Garnish with green onions and serve.