I've been trying to cook new things recently...

[one_voice]

Mostly soups and stews. We're trying to cut back spending at the grocery store. So I've been making big pots of soups and stews that are enough for two meals.

New things I've tried.

Gumbo--came out great! can't wait to make it again.

Jambalaya---made it more like a soup..very good

Ham and bean soup...never made it before. I was afraid it wouldn't be good. Yummy

Spicy chicken soup...need to cut back the heat a little.

Potato & sausage soup with fresh kale...don't know if it was supposed to taste like it did, and I don't care it was fantastic.

I find basic recipes and add my own twist. Lots of veggies and stuff.

Anyone have any good recipes, please pass them along.

I've always like to cook, but I can't tell you how much fun I've been having looking for recipes and trying them.

Oh yeah, and I've started using dry beans instead of canned. Made a pot of red (pink actually)beans and rice and the beans held up much better. And they're way cheaper. Who knew?

p.s. this is my first post in this forum.

:hi:

[Phentex]

1. Welcome! I love soups but it's too darn hot right now...

I made a chilled cucumber soup that was good.

When the weather's cold, I like to throw things in a pot and see how they come out. I have found the immersion blender to be helpful when I want to puree right in the pot.

[one_voice]

2. Thanks!

There are a couple of cold soups I want to try. My kids and husband think cold and soup don't go together, but I'm working on them.

An immersion blender is going on my Christmas list. A few years ago I wanted new knives and hubby bought me a great set. They're probably in my top 3 favorite Christmas presents. :-)

[hippywife]

3. Welcome one_voice!

Just hang around, ask questions, and search the older posts here for all kinds of ideas. We cook and bake it all! LOL

:hi:

[one_voice]

4. Thanks..

I've already bookmarked a few threads. Lots of good advice here.

[hippywife]

5. We all help each other out here

whether it be with advice or inspiration, even the confidence to cook things we might never have tried otherwise. It's a lovely group of people, really. I think you'll like it here. :D

[Dover]

6. Hi! Sounds like you're having a great time and success. Stew/soups are so much fun, as well as

quick, budget friendly AND healthy. A smart way to get a lot of veggies into your diet.
And very easy to freeze for later. Are you ready to try baking various types of flat or
yeast breads to go with your stew? Lots of very experienced bakers in this forum to walk
you through it if you need assistance. If I don't have time for baking I usually just pick up
a rustic loaf at the grocery or a package of Jiffy Cornbread Mix and add a couple of tablespoons of molassas or chopped jalapenos.

I think its hard to beat a meal with homemade stew, bread and perhaps a salad. And beans are also
one of my favorite foods. I make a cold three bean salad in the summer that goes great with just
about any meal. Or I add a tastey rice to the salad mix and its a meal unto itself.

So glad you are discovering the joy of cooking!

[one_voice]

10. I have a bread maker that my mom...

bought for me. I'm still learning the "ins and outs". I can't knead bread cuz of physical limitations, so this bread maker does it for me.

Cornbread goes with so many different soups/stews. I make mine sweet. I'm making chili next week and I'll be making cornbread with it.

I've always experimented in the kitchen, since I was young. Sometimes it turns out really well, others not so much. Cook and learn..right?

[Tesha]

7. Oh, you're going to love it here!

Great ideas, amazing support, wonderful people.


I can't wait for soup time to come around again. We save money and warm the house and the people too.

Welcome:hi:

[one_voice]

13. Thank you!

:hi:

[Callalily]

8. I too love soups and

stews, and you listed a great selection.

Typically I reserve my soup and stew cooking after the weather cools down. I like to reserve Sunday afternoons and then cook up a storm.

As far as cold soups, one of my favorite is a cold cucumber soup made with buttermilk. Here's the recipe if you're interested. It's super easy and very tasty.

Cold Cucumber Soup

Ingredients:

•4 green onions, trimmed and chopped
•1 garlic clove, pushed through a press
•1 medium hothouse cucumber, peeled, seeded and sliced
•1/2 teaspoon dried tarragon
•1 can (14 1/2 ounces) reduced-sodium chicken broth
•1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
•1 cup buttermilk
•Salt and pepper
•1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Directions:

In a blender, combine all ingredients except parsley. Puree until smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste. Chill 1 hour. Garnish with parsley before serving.


Nutritional Information
Per Serving:

Net Carbs: 6.0 grams

Fiber: 1.0 grams
Protein: 4.5 grams

Fat: 1.5 grams

Calories: 57

Recipe Information:

Makes: 4 servings

Prep Time: 0:15:00

Marinate Time: 0:00:00

Cook Time: 0:00:00

Cool Time: 1:00:00

[one_voice]

11. Between Sept and Feb..

no cooking on Sunday afternoons in my house...that's football time. I love football. What I usually do is cook something on Saturday or something early Sunday that can just be reheated or kept warm all day. Soups and stews are perfect for that.

I cook Thanksgiving for my whole family, and I have a system so I don't miss football. :-)

Thanks for the recipe, I'm definitely gonna try it.

[hippywife]

9. Since you are really into soups

I offer my family recipe for Italian Wedding Soup. Food of the goddesses! ;)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=236&topic_id=40267&mesg_id=40272

[one_voice]

12. Thank you for sharing that...

it sounds wonderful. I can't wait to try it. I just happen to have a whole chicken in my freezer. :-) I will pick up the rest of the ingredients, and when I cook I'll be sure to let you know.