Mark's BBC Soup (Beer, Bacon and Cheddar)

Makes 6 to 8 servings, good for leftovers!

Ingredients (to make a chunkier soup, add ½ cup to all veggie amounts)

1 cup chopped celery or 2 tablespoons celery flakes

1 cup chopped carrot

1 cup chopped onions

1 teaspoon dried thyme

6 tablespoons all purpose flour

3 cups chicken broth

3 cups milk

2 cups cheddar or sharp cheddar cheese shredded

12 ounce beer – lager or ale works nice

3 – 5 potatoes (according to how much you like potato, peeled (if desired), and diced

½ to 1 pound bacon (½ if less desired, 1 if more), chopped into 1/2 inch pieces

Chopped fresh parsley for garnish if desired

Salt and Pepper to taste

Preparation

            In large saucepot saute bacon, celery, carrots, onions, and thyme until veggies begin to soften and bacon is cooked.  Sprinkle flour over veggies and stir for 2 minutes.  Gradually stir in broth, then milk, then beer.  Add potatoes and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender.  Add ½ cup of cheddar at a time while stirring until cheese is melted and smooth.  Once all of the cheese is added, stir in the bacon.  Salt and pepper to taste (hot sauce optional) and parsley to garnish if desired.

Potato Corn Chowder

Potato Corn Chowder

1 tablespoon oil

1 medium onion, diced

1 clove garlic, minced

1 teaspoon crushed red pepper

5 cups chicken broth

4-5 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes

2 cups frozen corn

Saute onion in oil until almost translucent then add red pepper flakes and garlic and saute until fragrant.  Add chicken broth and potatoes.   Bring to a boil and cook until the potatoes are tender.  Use a hand masher to mash the potatoes in the broth.  Add corn cook another 3 minutes then serve.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Garnish with pepper-jack cheese and chives.  (Penzey's spices sells freeze dried chives that are great when chives are out of season).

New Year's Day Hoppin' John

This recipe is said to give you good luck if you eat it on New Year's Day. Adding greens (like collard greens or kale) or serving it with cornbread is supposed to give you wealth in the New Year.  If you eat it as leftovers the next day you get even more good luck.  It's healthy enough that it certainly can't hurt to try it!   There are a lot of variations on this recipe, but here's the one I used:

Hoppin' John

Serves: 6 adults

2 cups dried black eyed peas, soaked in water the night before

1 medium onion, diced

Approx. 1 1/2 cups of leftover ham or 4 strips of bacon cut into pieces

1 bunch collard greens or kale cut into small pieces (optional)

2 cups rice

After the peas have soaked overnight cover with water in a pot, bring to a boil and simmer for 1-1 1/2 hours until tender.  About 15 minutes before the peas are done cook the rice in 4 cups of water.  When peas are done cooking drain them, reserving about a 1/2 cup of liquid.  If using bacon add bacon and onions and cook until bacon is crispy.  If using ham saute onions in about a tablespoon of oil until translucent, then add ham.  Next add collard greens (if using) and cook until wilted.  Add cooked peas and 1/2 cup liquid.  Bring to a boil then serve over rice.  Season with salt and pepper.  I also like to add hot sauce.

Chicken Noodle Soup

Chicken Noodle Soup

Perfect for cold season.

1/2 tablespoon olive oil

1 small onion, diced

8 crimini mushrooms, sliced (optional)

2 carrots peeled and chopped

1/2 celery stalk chopped (or use Penzey's celery flakes)

3 cups chicken broth

1/2 bag egg noodles

Saute onions and mushrooms in oil until tender.  Add carrots and celery and saute for a few more minutes.  Then add chicken broth and bring to a boil.  Add egg noodles and cook in broth for about 10 minutes (or as directed by the bag).  Add salt and pepper to taste.