One Handy-Dandy All-Purpose Recipe!

Being the poster child for "SIMPLE", I'm always on the look-out for anything that can add more simplicity into life. I found something so great, I have to pass it on--an all-purpose recipe you can make delicious creamed soups from, with whatever fresh vegetables you have on hand. Just choose your favorite vegetable from the chart below, blend the soup, and serve it either warm or cold. First, here's the basic recipe:

CREAM OF VEGETABLE SOUP
1 1/2 C chicken broth
1/2 C chopped onion
Desired veggie and seasonings (see chart)
2 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp flour
1/2 tsp salt
few dashes white pepper
1 C milk

In saucepan, combine chicken broth, onion, and one of the veggie/seasoning combinations from the chart below. Bring to boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer the time indicated in the chart or till veggie is tender. (Remove bay leaf if you're using broccoli.) Place veggie mixture in a blender container or food processor. Cover and blend 30-60 sec. or till smooth. In same saucepan melt the butter and blend in flour, salt, and pepper. Add the milk all at once. Cook and stir till thickened and bubbly. Stir in the veggie puree. Cook till heated through for a warm soup. For a chilled soup, refrigerate, covered, for several hours.

Basic Vegetable Chart

2 C broccoli cuts + 1/2 tsp dried thyme, crushed + 1 small bay leaf + dash garlic powder (timing: 10 min, yield: 3 1/2 C)

1 C sliced carrots + 1 Tbsp snipped parsley + 1/2 tsp dried basil, crushed (timing: 12 min, yield: 3 1/2 C)

1 1/2 C cut green beans + 1/2 tsp dried savory, crushed (timing: 20 - 30 min, yield: 3 C)

1 1/2 C shelled peas + 1/4 C shredded lettuce + 2 Tbsp chopped ham + 1/4 tsp dried sage, crushed (timing: 8 min, yield: 3 1/2 C)

1 C sliced potatoes + 1/2 dried dillweed (timing: 10 min, yield: 3 C)

So if you're interested in holding a Soup Party as I suggested the other day, you might want to try one of these ideas. If you do, let me know if you liked it. And if YOU have any hand-dandy multi-purpose recipes, please pass them on! We're all in this together, remember! And until next time, happy cook'n!