Creamy Asparagus Soup

It is Asparagus season.  I put together this healthy low-low fat version of the soup that is packed with protein. Makes 10 - 2 Cup servings.  Each serving has 17 grams of protein with only 185 calories, 2 grams of fat and 2 mg of cholesterol, while providing 662 mg of Potassium and 21% of RDA for Iron.

Ingredients:
2 Large Onions (Chopped)
1 teaspoon butter
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
2 Large Potatoes (cut up with peel on)
1 teaspoon minced garlic
2 teaspoon sea salt
64 oz Fat Free (reduced sodium) chicken broth
3 pounds Fresh Asparagus Stalks (Chopped).  Reserve tips.
3 ounces raw Spinach
1 Teaspoon Mrs. Dash
Chobani Plain Fat Free Yogurt (32oz)
1 tsp white pepper

Directions:
Melt butter in olive oil over low-medium heat in a large stock pot.  Once melted, add onions.  Cook until onions are tender.  Add potatoes, garlic and salt cooking for about 5 minutes.  Add 32 ounces (4 cups) chicken broth , simmer for 30 minutes until potatoes are almost cooked.  Add asparagus stalks and cook for additional 30 minutes, adding spinach for the last 10 minutes.  Puree in food processor or blender. This may need to be done in batches, depending on how big your food processor is.  Put back in stock pot, add additional chicken broth, Mrs Dash and heat for about 10 minutes.  Add yogurt and pepper, stir.  Add asparagus tips for about 10 minutes until hot and serve.

Chicken and Dumpling Soup

I have tried Chicken Dumpling soup before, but the dumplings never turn out and it turns into Chicken Stew. Here is a recipe that anyone can do, just as long as they cover they pot and do not peek for 20 minutes.  Good luck with the not peeking and if you do peek, enjoy your Chicken Stew.


Ingredients:
1 Fryer Chicken


Soup:
10 Cups Water
6 Cubes Chicken Bouillon
1 Can Cream of Chicken Soup
1 Can Cream of Mushroom Soup
6 to 8 Total Cups of any vegetables that you like.  
          I have used the following:  Corn, Peas, Green Beans, Carrots, Celery, Potatoes, Onions.  Use your imagination.
2 tsp minced Garlic
1/2 tsp fresh ground black pepper


Dumplings:
2 Cups Flour 
1 tsp salt
4 tsp baking powder

Shred the Chicken

1 egg, beaten
2 TBLS melted Butter
2/3 Cup Milk


Directions:
Day 1 (or early in the morning) - Roast the chicken seasoned with salt and pepper at 300 F for about 2 hours.  Let chicken cool slightly.  Remove meat from bones and shred the meat.  Put in container to refrigerate.  Save the juice in a separate container in the frig.

Simmer the soup

Day 2 - 
Soup - Remove the juice and chicken from the frig.  Skim the fat from the top of the juice.  Add the chicken, juice and other soup ingredients to large stock pot with a lid.  Simmer soup on low, covered, for about 3 or so hours, stirring occasionally.

Sift dry ingredients for dumplings

Dumplings - About 30 minutes before serving, mix dumplings by sifting dry ingredients together. Add egg, melted butter and enough milk to make a moist, stiff batter. Drop by teaspoons into boiling liquid. Cook, covered and without for 20 minutes until the dumplings are done. Do not lift the lid during the cooking process.  Seriously, do not peek, as tempting as it may be.  Just sit back pour a glass of wine and sit on the couch for 20 minutes.

Drop Dumpling in Soup

Burgundy Beef

Ingredients:
1 Pound Stew Meat
1 Cup Chopped Onions
8 oz sliced Mushrooms
1 Pound Baby Carrots
2 tsp minced Garlic
2 Cups Red Wine
1 Can Golden Mushroom Soup
1 Can Beef Consommé
1/2 tsp Fresh Ground Black Pepper
2 TBLS Flour

Directions:
Heat oven to 300 F.
Mix all of the ingredients together.
Put in an oven safe casserole dish with lid.
Cook at 300 F for 3 hours.

Serve over mashed potatoes or egg noodles.

Italian Sausage and Potato Soup

Ingredients:
1 Pound Italian Sausage (Hot or Mild)
2 tsp Olive oil
1 Large Onion, Chopped
2 tsp minced Garlic
4 Potatoes (Red or Russet)
12 Cups Water
9 cubes Chicken Bouillon
6 ounces Baby Spinach, thinly sliced
2 Cups Fat Free Half & Half
Parmesan Cheese

Brown Italian Sausage and set aside.  Quarter potatoes, then slice thin.
In large stock pot, heat olive oil add onion and garlic over medium heat.  Cook until onion is translucent.  Add water and bouillon, turn up heat and bring to boil.  Once boiling, add potatoes and turn heat to medium.  Cook until potatoes are done, about 30 minutes.
Add sausage, spinach and half & half.  Simmer about 5 more minutes.
If desired, garnish with fresh Parmesan cheese.