Minestrone Soup

Todays Menu included Minestrone soup - one of my faves!
Usually I make it with shell noodles, but since this is gluten free - we used rice. ( the recipe called for quinoa).

Everyone loved it, we added in addition to the recipe - zucchini and celery and some extra chicken broth...

Recipe ~ Potato Soup

Potato Soup

Ingredients:

6 large potatoes
1 1/2 cup chopped celery,  (include leaves)
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup half-and-half or 1/2 cup cream
2 Cups of Diced Ham
2 Bay Leaves
1 Cup of Carrots
2 Cans of Chicken Broth

Stovetop Directions:

1 Peel and cube potatoes.

2 Put in a saucepan along with the onions and celery.

3 Add chicken broth, enough to just cover the vegetables.

4 Bring to a boil, lower heat, cover and simmer for 25 minutes, or until all of the vegetables are very tender.

5 Using a potato masher, coarsely crush the potatoes, but don't mash them--you want chunks left.

6 Add enough milk or cream to thin to desired thickness and add salt& pepper to taste.

Crock pot Directions:

1. Peel and cube potatoes

2. Put all ingredients in crock pot.

3. Cook for 5-8 hours.

4. Enjoy!

Sausage Sautee - Recipe

Ingredients

• 6 slices bacon
• 4 potatoes - peeled and sliced thin
• 1 can french cut green beans - or any veggie you prefer
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 pound kielbasa sausage, cut into 1 inch pieces
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Chop Potatoes and slice carrots - boil until tender
2. In a large, heavy skillet over medium high heat, fry the bacon until crisp, about 10 minutes. Remove the bacon and leave the fat in the skillet.
3. Then place the potatoes, green beans, celery, carrots, and onion in the bacon fat, reduce heat to medium and saute for 5 minutes. Place the kielbasa over all, to allow the juices to trickle down over the vegetables.
4. Saute for 5 to 10 more minutes, or to desired tenderness on the vegetables. Season with salt and pepper to taste, crumble the reserved bacon and return it to the skillet, and stir to combine.

You may also add garlic for some flavor while cooking...

Nutritional Information

Amount Per Serving Calories: 609 | Total Fat: 40.4g | Cholesterol: 83mg