Fix-It and Forget-It Christmas Cookbook (17 page)

Green Beans and Sausage Soup

Bernita Boyts

Shawnee Mission, KS

Makes 5-6 servings

Prep. Time: 20-25 minutes

Cooking Time: 7-10 hours

Ideal slow cooker size: 4- to 5-qt.

⅓ lb. link sausage, sliced,
or
bulk sausage

1 medium onion, chopped

2 carrots, sliced

2 ribs celery, sliced

1 Tbsp. olive oil

5 medium potatoes, cubed

10-oz. pkg. frozen green beans

2 14½-oz. cans chicken broth

2 broth cans water

2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley,
or
2 tsp. dried parsley

1-2 Tbsp. chopped fresh oregano,
or
1-2 tsp. dried oregano

1 tsp. Italian spice

salt to taste

pepper to taste

1. Brown sausage in skillet. Stir frequently for even browning.

2. Remove meat from skillet and place in slow cooker. Reserve drippings.

3. Sauté onion, carrots, and celery in skillet drippings until tender.

4. Place sautéed vegetables in slow cooker, along with all remaining ingredients. Mix together well.

5. Cover. Cook on High 1-2 hours and then on Low 6-8 hours.

Variation:

If you like it hot, add ground red pepper or hot sauce just before serving, or offer to individual eaters to add to their own bowls.

Broccoli and Cauliflower Soup

Wafi Brandt

Manheim, PA

Makes 4-6 servings

Prep. Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 4¼ hours

Ideal slow cooker size: 3-qt.

16-oz. bag frozen broccoli and cauliflower

¼ stick (2 Tbsp.) butter

½ Tbsp. dried onion

2 cups water

2 chicken bouillon cubes

4 Tbsp. flour

2 cups milk,
divided

½ tsp. Worcestershire sauce

½ tsp. salt

1 cup grated cheddar cheese

chopped chives

parsley

1. Put broccoli and cauliflower, butter, onion, water, and bouillon cubes in slow cooker.

2. Cover. Cook on High 4 hours.

3. When broccoli and cauliflower are soft, mix flour and 1 cup milk together in a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Cover jar and shake vigorously until flour dissolves and mixture is smooth.

4. Pour milk mixture into vegetables and stir. The soup will soon thicken.

5. Then stir in Worcestershire sauce, salt, and cheese.

6. When cheese is melted, stir in last cup of milk. Allow to heat through before serving.

7. Sprinkle chives and parsley over top of each individual serving bowl.

Broccoli, Potato, and Cheese Soup

Ruth Shank

Gridley, IL

Makes 6 servings

Prep. Time: 20-25 minutes

Cooking Time: 4 hours

Ideal slow cooker size: 4-qt.

2 cups cubed,
or
diced, potatoes

3 Tbsp. chopped onion

10-oz. pkg. frozen broccoli cuts, thawed

¼ stick (2 Tbsp.) butter, melted

1 Tbsp. flour

2 cups cubed Velveeta cheese

½ tsp. salt

5½ cups milk

1. Cook potatoes and onion in boiling water in saucepan until potatoes are crisp-tender. Drain. Place in slow cooker.

2. Add remaining ingredients. Stir together.

3. Cover. Cook on Low 4 hours.

Carrot Ginger Soup

Jean Harris Robinson
, Pemberton, NJ

Makes 8-10 servings

Prep. Time: 30 minutes • Cooking Time: 3½-4½ hours

Ideal slow cooker size: 5-qt.

2 Tbsp. olive oil

3 lbs. carrots, peeled and thinly sliced

2 Tbsp. chopped gingerroot

2 Tbsp. minced green onion

3 ribs celery, chopped

49½-oz. can chicken broth

1-3 tsp. kosher salt

1 tsp. ground pepper

2 Tbsp. honey

¼ stick (2 Tbsp.) butter

1 cup heavy cream

1. Pour olive oil into slow cooker. Swirl to cover bottom of cooker.

2. Add carrots, ginger, onion, and celery.

3. Pour in broth. Add salt, pepper, honey, and butter. Stir to mix all ingredients well.

4. Cover. Cook on High 3-4 hours, or until carrots are soft.

5. Pulse with an immersion blender to purée.

6. Stir in one cup heavy cream. Heat Soup 15-20 minutes until heated through, but don’t let it boil. Serve immediately.

Note:

I was first introduced to this Soup at one of my quilt guild’s regular meetings. Even the professed carrot-haters loved it.

Cheesy Broccoli Soup

Dede Peterson
, Rapid City, SD

Makes 4 servings

Prep. Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 5-6 hours

Ideal slow cooker size: 3-qt.

1 lb. frozen chopped broccoli, thawed

1 lb. Velveeta cheese, cubed

10¾-oz. can cream of celery soup

14½-oz. can chicken,
or
vegetable, broth

dash of pepper

dash of salt

1. Combine ingredients in slow cooker.

2. Cover. Cook on Low 5-6 hours.

Ham and Broccoli Chowder

Rachel Olinger

Parkesburg, PA

Makes 6 servings

Prep. Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 7 hours

Ideal slow cooker size: 4-qt.

2 Tbsp. flour

12-oz. can evaporated milk

2 cups diced ham

1 pkg. frozen chopped broccoli

¼ cup minced onion

1 cup grated Swiss cheese

2 cups water

1 cup light cream

1. Mix flour and milk in slow cooker until smooth.

2. Add all additional ingredients except cream.

3. Cover. Cook on Low 7 hours.

4. Before serving, stir in cream and heat through.