Friday, June 24, 2011

Creamy Soup Base

A good friend of mine gave me this recipe. It has been a family favorite for years now and we NEVER tire of it. Hope you enjoy it as much as we do. Great soup to take to someone for dinner, or serve at a dinner party as well. It's THAT good!
(read recipe through to understand well)
1/2 C butter
1/2 C flour
1 qt. chicken broth (more if needed)
3 C milk (OR cream OR evaporated milk OR 1/2 and 1/2 OR any combination of them)
2 tsp. onion powder (or to taste) or 1/4 minced dry onion
1/4 tsp. garlic powder OR 1tsp. minced garlic
1tsp. salt or to taste
pepper
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peeled, cubed potatoes; as many as you need (4 or 5 med/large for a family of 4)

2 C shredded cheddar cheese (more if desired)
1 can corn (you can use packaged frozen peas or broccoli, or any other variation of vegetables to your liking)
directions:
For potatoe based soup, cook cubed potatoes in chicken broth. Otherwise just bring broth to a boil with spices, garlic and onions. When just tender, drain/strain the broth into a bowl and set aside potatoes.
Melt butter in a pot. Add flour then whisk till smooth and bubbling. Slowly pour in the chicken broth (that was used to cook the potatoes) whisking as it thickens. When mixture has thickened, whisk in enough milk until you get the consistency you like. Add cheese and whisk until melted. Add potatoes and corn. Gently stir until combined. Add more spices/salt as needed. Keep warm and covered.
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The butter/flour/broth/milk part of the recipe is the universal key. You can add anything to it and make any yummy soup you like:

Broccoli Cheese soup- Add more cheese and cooked broccoli and bacon bits if you like.
Clam Chowder- Add some canned, chopped clams, bacon,
Corn Chowder - Add creamed corn and whole Kernal corn.
Creamy Vegetable soup- Add cooked vegetables of all sort.
Add artichoke hearts and shredded chicken and more garlic for another variety.

Anything your family likes you can throw in, then watch them DEVOUR it!!! No. Seriously!