Welcome To Autumn Soups

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

13 Oct 2009 05:09 AM

If you live in the Upper Midwest, then you may be wondering what happened to autumn. We went from sunshine and 60-degree days last week to a weekend filled with snow and below freezing temps.

On the bright side, the premature snowfall inspired me to cook up some of my family's favorite seasonal soups. After all, nothing says fall like a flavor-packed bowl of hearty soup (even though it feels more like winter outside).

The following recipes are not only simple to make, but they can be infused with additional fall flavors by adding fresh seasonal vegetables from your own garden, such as turnips and carrots.

CREAMY POTATO SOUP

Ingredients:

3 tablespoon butter

1 large onion, chopped

1 stalk celery, chopped

2 teaspoons garlic salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

6 cups mashed cooked potatoes

2 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth

1/2 to 2 cups milk

Shredded cheddar cheese

Cooked crumbled bacon

Directions:

In a medium pot melt butter over low heat, and saute onions and celery until tender. Add garlic salt and pepper. Stir in the mashed potatoes, and then slowly add the chicken broth.

Add milk and stir (use more or less milk to achieve desired creaminess).

Cook until heated through and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Garnish with cheese and bacon.

CHICKEN POT PIE SOUP

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup flour

1/2 cup finely chopped onions

1/2 cup finely chopped celery

Salt and pepper

4 cups milk

2 tablespoons chicken soup base

1 /2 cups cooked, cubed potatoes

2 cups mixed frozen vegetables (or fresh seasonal veggies)

2 cups shredded chicken

1/2 cup heavy cream

Puff pastry sheets or uncooked pie crust

Beaten egg

Chopped parsley

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a large pot melt butter and cook onion and celery in butter on low until soft. Season with salt and pepper.

Add flour and cook on low for a minute stirring constantly so it doesn't burn.

Add milk and chicken soup base and stir with a whisk until mixture comes to a boil and thickens.

Turn down heat and add chicken, potatoes, and vegetables. Season with salt, pepper. Let simmer for a minute on low. Add cream.

Ladle into oven safe bowls and top with pieces of puff pastry or pie crust. Brush puff pastry or pie crust with egg.

Place on cookie sheet and bake until pastry or crust is cooked.

Sprinkle with chopped parsley before serving.

Related Articles:

Soup's On: Spectacular Fall Soup Recipes

Warm Up with Homemade Chowder

More Hearty Winter Soup Recipes: Turkey and Rice and Tropical Chicken

Tips for Hosting a Winter Soup Party

Hearty Homemade Winter Soup Recipes

Super Soups

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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