At first glance soup might seem like a boring option for dinner but when the temperatures drop and the snow begins to fall, there’s nothing quite like a steaming bowl of soup to really warm you up. For a lot of busy parents it can also be the perfect dish to let simmer while you tackle other demanding tasks at home.
We have a variety of delicious recipes we would like to share and with such a range of delicious flavors, you are bound to find a favorite (or a few) that will only leave you and your family wanting more!
Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup
This hearty recipe by Erin Merhar is filled with healthy ingredients and can be found at this link:
Directions
- Place the split peas in a colander. Rinse them well and pick through for any tiny pebbles or debris.
- In the base of a slow-cooker, combine the peas, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, ham, chicken stock and 1 1/2 cups of water. Tie the sprigs of thyme, parsley and the bay leaf together with a piece of kitchen twine, wrapped around the bundle a couple times, then add to the slow-cooker.
- Cover and cook on high heat for 4-5 hours, or low heat for 8-10 hours, until the peas are tender and have split to thicken the soup. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve topped with chopped parsley.
Slow Cooker Potato Soup
This mouthwatering recipe by Kellie Kelley proves that soup can be filling and can be found at the following link:
Directions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon strips and cook until golden brown, 6-8 minutes. Remove to a paper towel lined plate. Reserve 2 pieces for garnish. Crumble the remaining 4 pieces.
- Place the crumbled bacon, potatoes, celery, leek, garlic, stock, salt, thyme sprigs, and pepper in the base of a 6- to 8-quart slow cooker. Put the lid on the slow cooker, and cook on high for 4 hours (or low for 6 to 8 hours) until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork. Remove the thyme sprigs and discard.
- Use an immersion blender to blend the soup to a semi-smooth consistency, leaving small chunks of potato and vegetables for texture. Stir in the sour cream. (Add 1/4 – 1/2 cup of water, to thin the soup out to your desired consistency). Serve in bowls, garnished with cheese, chives, additional sour cream, and the reserved bacon slices crumbled over top.
Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
This recipe by Kellie Kelley is the perfect soup to help fight those winter colds while making your taste buds happy and can be found at:
Directions
- Add the butter to the liner of a 6- or 8-quart Instant Pot and set to SAUTE. Add onion, carrots, and celery to the pot and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes. Add the garlic, thyme, oregano, salt and pepper and cook 1 more minute. Add the bay leaf, chicken, stock, and 2 cups of water.
- Cover the Instant Pot with the lid and lock into place. Seal the steam release handle. Select HIGH PRESSURE and set the timer for 10 minutes. When the timer is up, let rest for 10 minutes, then manually release the pressure (unseal the steam release handle). Unlock and remove the lid, being careful of any remaining steam. Remove the bay leaf.
- Remove the chicken from the pot and shred with two forks.
- Meanwhile, set cooker to SAUTE and bring the soup to a boil. Add the noodles and cook 5-7 minutes or until the noodles are tender. Return the shredded chicken to pot and stir gently. Transfer to serving bowls and garnish with chopped parsley, if desired.
Broccoli-Cheese Soup
The best and for some the only way to eat broccoli is with Ree Drummond’s delicious recipe that can also be found at:
Directions
- Melt butter in a pot over medium heat, then add the onions. Cook the onions for 3 to 4 minutes, then sprinkle the flour over the top. Stir to combine and cook for 1 minute or so, then pour in milk and half-and-half. Add nutmeg, then add broccoli, a small dash of salt, and plenty of black pepper.
- Cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender. Stir in cheese and allow to melt.
- Taste seasonings and adjust if needed. Then either serve as is, or mash it with a potato masher to break up the broccoli a bit, or transfer to a blender in two batches and puree completely. (If you puree it in a blender, return it to the heat and allow to heat up. Splash in chicken broth if needed for thinning.)
Stuffed Pepper Soup
Definitely not your ordinary soup and one of our favorite recipes by Ree Drummond can also be found at:
Directions
- Heat the olive oil in a large dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the beef, sprinkle with the Italian seasoning and cook, breaking up the meat into small pieces with a wooden spoon, until browned, 4 to 6 minutes.
- Add the onion and bell peppers and cook, stirring, until they start to soften, 4 to 6 minutes. Stir in the garlic, salt and pepper and cook for 30 seconds.
- Stir in the rice, then add the broth, tomato puree and diced tomatoes. Stir to combine.
- Bring the soup to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover and cook until the rice is tender, about 25 minutes. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce. Ladle the soup into bowls and top with the cheese and parsley.
You can find all of these delicious recipes along with many more at https://www.thepioneerwoman.com
Enjoy!
