Soup, there it is!

Ok i stumbled upon this and am SO glad i did. this is my new favorite soup. seriously.

Stuffed Pepper Soup

INGREDIENTS

1 pound ground sirloin

1 green bell pepper, chopped

1 cup finely diced onion

1 (29 ounce) can diced tomatoes

1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce

1 (14 ounce) can chicken broth

1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

1/4 teaspoon dried sage

salt and pepper to taste

1 cup white rice

DIRECTIONS
In a large stock pot brown ground meat. Drain fat and add pepper and onion. Cook until onion is translucent, not letting them brown.
Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, broth, thyme, sage and season with salt and pepper. Cover and simmer for 30 to 45 minutes, until peppers are tender.
In another saucepan boil 2 cups water, and add rice. Cook until rice is tender and then add to soup. Heat soup through and serve.

i'm really starting to love my Crockpot!

When i first got my crockpot, i was not pleased. everything kept coming out super dry and i was getting really discouraged. I put it away for awhile, and recently pulled it out and haven't put it back since! Now that i'm home i can monitor it, which i know makes no sense for a crockpot, but the sucker runs really hot. the low setting has stuff boiling!
Well i finally decided to try a soup in the pot. and this week's potato sale at the grocery store spawned this recipe.

Loaded Baked Potato Soup
(directions are for stove top- i followed everything up until added the onions, bacon bits etc. at that point i threw everything in the crockpot.)

Ingredients

• 9 baking potatoes
• 2/3 cup butter
• 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 6 cups whole milk
• 1/2 tablespoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup bacon bits, divided
• 4 green onions, chopped
• 10 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1 (8 ounce) container sour cream

Directions

1. Prick potatoes with a fork and cook in the microwave, 3 or 4 at a time, and scoop out the flesh (while the others are cooking).
2. In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in flour and cook about a minute. Whisk in milk, a little at a time, stirring constantly until thickened. Stir in potatoes, salt, pepper, 1/3 cup bacon bits, 2 tablespoons green onions and most of the cheese. Cook until thoroughly heated. Stir in sour cream and heat through. Serve topped with remaining bacon, onions and cheese.

You just can't go wrong with Tyler Florence...

I love this stuff.



French Onion Soup

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes

Yield: 4 to 6 servings
Weight Watcher Points: 2 without cheese and croutons, 5 with


1/2 cup unsalted butter
4 onions, sliced
2 garlic cloves, chopped
2 bay leaves
2 fresh thyme sprigs
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup red wine, about 1/2 bottle
3 heaping tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 quarts beef broth 1 baguette,
sliced 1/2 pound grated Gruyere

Melt the stick of butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions, garlic, bay leaves, thyme, and salt and pepper and cook until the onions are very soft and caramelized, about 25 minutes. Add the wine, bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer until the wine has evaporated and the onions are dry, about 5 minutes. Discard the bay leaves and thyme sprigs. Dust the onions with the flour and give them a stir. Turn the heat down to medium low so the flour doesn't burn, and cook for 10 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste. Now add the beef broth, bring the soup back to a simmer, and cook for 10 minutes. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.
When you're ready to eat, preheat the broiler. Arrange the baguette slices on a baking sheet in a single layer. Sprinkle the slices with the Gruyere and broil until bubbly and golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes.
Ladle the soup in bowls and float several of the Gruyere croutons on top.
Alternative method: Ladle the soup into bowls, top each with 2 slices of bread and top with cheese. Put the bowls into the oven to toast the bread and melt the cheese.