Two Great Soups

Hamburger Soup

The name doesn't sound great but this is the best comfort soup ever. I have never served it that it wasn't loved.

1/2 pound of ground beef (I use as little as possible, probably 1/4 pound or less, just to flavor it)

3/4 cup chopped onion

3/4 cup Shredded carrots

3/4 cup diced celery

1 teaspoon basil

1 teaspoon parsley

4 tablespoons butter

3 cups chicken broth

4 cups potatoes diced

1/4 cup flour

2 cups Velveeta cheese (I use the light Velveeta)

1 1/2 cups of milk (I use skim milk)

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/4 cup Sour Cream

Brown meat, saute' onion with meat, add basil, carrots, celery, parsley, 1 tablespoon butter, add broth, potatoes, beef, and bring to a boil.

Simmer for 12 to 15 minutes, in separate saucepan, melt remaining butter and add flour, stir until bubbly, add milk. Put in soup, cook until soup thickens slightly. Stir in Velveeta cheese that has been cut into small chunks. Just before serving add sour cream.

Don't add the cheese to early it can curdle. Add it early enough to melt and be warm and then do the sour cream at the last minute.

Tortellini Soup

2 Tablespoons Oil

1 medium onion

1 package sausage ( I use the apple 3 cheese sausage from Costco it's pretty low fat or also Turkey kielbasa)

2 cloves garlic

1 package fresh tortellini (found in the refrigerator section in your grocery store)

1 can 28 ounce diced tomatoes

1/2 cup apple juice

1 cup water

2 tablespoons parsley

1 tablespoon basil

1 tablespoon oregano

1 stalk celery diced

2 carrots chopped

1 zucchini chopped

Combine and saute' oil, onion, sausage and garlic. When browned and onions are caramelized, add tortellini, diced tomatoes, apple juice, water, parsley, basil oregano, celery, carrots and zucchini.

Bring to boil, then simmer for 1/2 hour until vegetables are tender.

I use this same recipe to add every vegetable under the sun, such as asparagus, artichokes, green olives, etc. I double the broth, put in whole wheat linguine, and make a sort of vegetable spaghetti that is great. Sometimes I add tomatoes soup or tomato sauce with the above broth. It is so healthy and delicious it is amazing.