slow-cooker chicken taco soup

prep time: 15 minutes      cook time: 6-8 hours      total time: 6-8 hours + 15 minutes       serves 8

ingredients
6 c low-sodium chicken broth
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 lbs)
2 15-oz. cans black beans, drained and rinsed
1 15-oz. can diced tomatoes
1 15-oz. can corn
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 jalapeno, seeded and finely chopped, plus sliced for serving
2 T ground cumin
2 T chili powder
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
3 T fresh lime juice (from 1 lime)
shredded cheese, sour cream, and hot sauce, for serving

directions

1. combine broth, chicken, beans, tomatoes, corn, bell pepper, onion, chopped jalapeno, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper in a 4-6 quart slow cooker.
2. cover and cook on low until chicken is very tender, 6-8 hours.
3. remove chicken and, using 2 forks, shred into bite-size pieces.
4. stir chicken and lime juice into soup and serve topped with cheese, sour cream, hot sauce, and sliced jalapeno.

source – real simple magazine, sept. 2017, pg. 148

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15-minute coconut curry noodle soup

prep time: 10 minutes      cook time: 15 minutes       total time: 25 minutes      serves 3 bowls

ingredients
2 T oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 T fresh ginger, grated
3 T red (or yellow) curry paste
8 oz. boneless chicken breast or thighs, sliced
4 c chicken broth
1 c water
2 T fish sauce (or soysauce as a substitute)
1 c coconut milk
6 oz. dried rice vermicelli noodles (maifun rice sticks, orange package)
1 lime, juiced (or lemon juice as a substitute)
scallions to garnish

directions

1. in a large pot over medium heat, add the oil, garlic, ginger, and curry paste. fry for 5 minutes, until fragrant. add the chicken and cook for a couple of minutes, just until the chicken turns opaque.
2. add the chicken broth, water, fish sauce/soysauce, and coconut milk. bring to a boil. at this point, taste the broth for salt and adjust seasoning accordingly (it should be a little on the salty side since the noodles will help curb the saltiness at the end).
3. squeeze lime juice and add some scallions, saving some to top for garnish.
4. bring to a boil and then add the noodles. turn heat off and noodles should be ready to eat in about 3 minutes.

source

tomato florentine soup

prep time: 10 minutes       cook time: 40 minutes       total: 50 minutes

yields 6 servings

ingredients
1 T olive oil
2 c chopped onion
1 c celery, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 c water
2 cans (14 oz each) chicken broth
1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
1 c small shell pasta, uncooked
2 c fresh spinach
salt & pepper
grated parmesan cheese, for topping

directions

1. heat oil in large soup pot over medium heat.
2. add onion & celery; cook for 7 minutes until tender, stirring often.
3. add garlic, cooking for 1 minute & stirring often.
4. pour in water, broth, tomatoes, & sauce.
5. bring to a simmer and cook for about 20 minutes, stirring often.
6. stir in uncooked pasta and cook for 8 minutes.
7. add spinach, cooking for a couple of minutes, until leaves wilt and pasta is al dente.
8. season with pepper and salt.
9. serve topped with parmesan cheese.

source – kroger, mymagazine, january 2016

spicy andouille sausage and tortellini soup (for slow cooker)

makes 6 servings       prep time: 20 minutes      cook time: 7-8 hours

ingredients
1 zucchini, sliced
1 green pepper, chopped
1 carrot, sliced
1/3 c chopped onion
1 garlic clove, minced
1 package spicy andouille sausage, cut into half coins (could be regular smoked sausage instead)
3 roma tomatos, chopped (could use 1 can of diced tomatoes instead)
1/3 c tomato sauce
1/4 c tomato paste
1 3/4 c beef (or chicken) broth
1 1/4 c water 3.5 c water
1/3 c dry red wine
1/4 tsp basil
1/4 tsp oregano
2 T parsley
salt and pepper to taste
red pepper flakes (optional)
1 (9 oz.) package cheese tortellini

directions

1. in this order, add zucchini, green pepper, carrot, onion, garlic, sausage, tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste.
2. add all the liquids next: broth, water, red wine.
3. next, add the seasonings: BOP (basil, oregano, & parsley), salt and pepper, and red pepper flakes.
4. cook in slow cooker on LOW for 7-8 hours until vegetables are soft.
5. about 20 minutes before eating, boil the tortellini until al dente.
6. drain pasta and serve.
7. scoop soup into bowls and then add the tortellini separately to each bowl. tip: store soup and tortellini separately, so tortellini doesn’t get soggy.

source

stuffed pepper soup

yields: 8 servings   total time: about an hour

ingredients
2 lbs lean ground beef
8 c beef broth (i used 5 bouillon cubes and 8 cups of water to cut down the amount of salt)
2 (14 oz.) cans diced tomatoes, undrained
2 c rice, cooked
2 green bell peppers, chopped
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 c brown sugar
2 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
parsley and basil
1 T worcestershire sauce

directions

1. in a large skillet, brown ground beef with onion and garlic until beef is no longer pink.
2. pour grease from meat away and then dump meat into a large stock pot.
3. place stock pot on stovetop and add remaining ingredients except rice.
4. turn heat up to medium high and bring soup to a boil.
5. reduce heat to low, cover with lid, and simmer for 35-45 minutes.

source