Thursday, January 31, 2013

Best.Soup.Ever. (Nik's Creamy Chicken & Wild Rice Soup)

Soup. Again.

This soup is one I came up with a few weeks ago. It was after two other attempts at a creamy chicken (or turkey) and wild rice soup. They were pretty good, with some room for improvement.

Third time's a charm, right?

The name " Best Soup Ever" is mostly a joke, but a BFF of mine told me that on Facebook, so I thought it a fun title.

Again, when I make soup, I don't use exact measurements, but so I tried really hard to take note of my exact "recipe" in the event that anyone wants to recreate.

Best Soup Ever ( Nik's Creamy Chicken & Wild Rice Soup)

- 2ish pounds shredded chicken
- 6 servings chicken bouillon broth (or so)
- 2 servings beef bouillon broth
- 1.5 cups wild rice blend (cooked to package directions)
- 1 can French cut green beans
- 1 cup or so chopped mushrooms
- 1/4 cup chopped celery
- 1/3 cup chopped carrots
- 1 quart (or pint) half and half
- 1 1/2 cup (or more) shredded Parmesan cheese
- 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup slivered or sliced almonds
- cayenne pepper
- poultry seasoning
- black pepper
- Mrs. Dash
- Old Bay
- minced onion
- minced garlic
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/3 cup flour

I boil and shred two pounds of chicken.

I cook rice according to package (I took a photo of the rice blend I use) except I add a cube of bouillon instead of salt.

In a Dutch oven, I melt the butter and sauté vegetables and almonds for five minutes or so, to get them softened. Then, I add water and bouillon cubes (more or less to taste and for a bit if saltiness) and cooked rice. I cover and simmer while I shred the chicken and add it. Cubed chicken would work too, but I feel liked shredded chicken is more tender.

In a saucepan, I combine half and half (I used a pint once and a quart this time because they were out of pints at the store) and flour and whisk until smooth. I heat it over medium and add cheeses. I like to add as much Parmesan as possible, usually around 2 cups. I add less mozzarella than Parmesan.

When the cheese is melted and its become a thick sauce, I slowly add to the Dutch oven. Stir until combined and then simmer over low a while so the flavors can blend and it can thicken up a bit.

Notes: I boil the chicken in water seasoned wit poultry seasoning and a bit of cayenne pepper. I add a variety of seasonings to the broth before adding cheese sauce, and then taste test once it's incorporated. I add more seasonings and/or bouillon to taste.





Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Nik's Sausage & Tortellini Soup

I love soup. Especially homemade soup. I find it quite a joy to make it up as I go.

I don't use recipes often. When I find one I tweak it to make it my own. Sometimes I just create as I go.

I made a sausage and tortellini soup a few weeks ago that my husband particularly loved and raved about to his coworker. He asked me to make it again so he could share.

I did today. Here's my recipe, roughly:

- 1 lb ground sausage
- 1 jug v8 juice + 1/3 jug water
- 1 bag tortellini of your choice (I usually use tri color three cheese)
- 1 bag frozen Italian blend veggies
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 4 cubes beef bouillon
- 4 cubes chicken bouillon
- minced garlic
- minced onion
- Italian blend seasoning
- cayenne pepper
- Mrs. Dash (I use table blend, tomato basil garlic blend, and original blend)

Brown sausage in Dutch oven with minced garlic, minced onion, and cayenne pepper.

Add v8 plus water, bouillon cubes, and seasonings to taste.

Add vegetables and tortellini. Heat until tortellini is tender.

I like to add a but of mozzarella when I eat it.


It's super simple really!