Clam Chowder

Clam Chowder

1/2-1 lb. bacon (cooked and crumbled)
3 cups diced potatoes
1/2 c. chopped onions (sautéed in butter or leftover bacon grease)
1 c. chopped celery

6 Tbs. butter
6 Tbs. Flour
1 quart milk
3 cans clams (undrained)
Salt and pepper

1. Cook bacon and set aside.
2. Sauté the onions in a little butter (or you can use leftover bacon grease), and set aside. 
3. Boil potatoes and celery in salted water. 
4. Meanwhile, melt 6 tbs. butter in a pan, and then slowly blend in the flour with a whisk; avoid lumps.  Mix in half of the milk and cook on medium until it thickens. Do not burn or scald. 
5.  When the potatoes and celery are done (after about 8-9 minutes), drain the water.  Combine all the ingredients together: cooked vegetables, the rest of the milk, the thickened milk, sautéed onions, bacon crumbles, and the 3 cans of undrained clams. 
6. Heath throughout, being very careful not to burn.  Add salt and pepper to taste. 

Cheese Tortellini Soup

This recipe is from my good friend Tawna Fuller. The tortellini used in the pic were from Costco and really good, but they were too big for this soup.  The smaller ones work lots better.

Cheese Tortellini Soup

1 lb. hamburger (or sausage)
1 onion
1-3 garlic cloves
6 cups beef broth
1 (28 oz.) can stewed tomatoes (or 1 quart bottled tomatoes)
1 can tomato sauce
1 cup chopped carrots
1 cup sliced mushrooms
2 cups cubed zucchini
1 cup chopped green pepper
2 tsp. sugar
1/4 c parsley
2 cups frozen cheese tortellini (or more, we like lots more!)
*Fresh grated parmesan for garnish (optional)

Brown the hamburger, garlic, and onion together.  Add all the other ingredients except the tortellini.  Bring to a boil, and then simmer about 20 minutes.  Cook the pasta according to package directions, and then add it to the soup. 

Crockpot directions:
Brown the hamburger, garlic, and onion together.  Transfer to a slow cooker, add all other ingredients except the tortellini.  Cook on high 4-5 hours.  Cook the pasta according to the package directions, drain, and add to soup.  Cook 30 more minutes. 

Note: This is extremely tasty when you add a sprinkle of grated fresh parmesan cheese when serving!