Butternut Squash Bisque

This is one of my favorites in the fall. I revised this from a recipe on Allrecipes.com.

1 T oil or butter
1/2 cup onion, diced
3/4 cup carrots, diced
4 cups butternut squash, peeled and cubed
3 cups of vegetable or chicken stock or broth
salt
pepper
ground nutmeg
1/2 cup cream

Saute the onions in the oil over medium heat until tender. Add carrots, squash and stock. Season to taste with the salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Bring to a boil, and simmer until all the veggies are tender (the carrots take a little longer than the squash). Using a food processor, or blender puree the soup until it is smooth. (I like to use an immersion blender). Return to the pot and add the cream. Heat through, without boiling it. Serve with a dash of nutmeg.

Taco Soup

I've tried many taco soup recipes, but really like the combination of ingredient in this one and is made of ingredient I always have on hand.

1 lb ground beef
1 24 oz can of tomatoes ( I like to use a quart of home canned stewed tomatoes)
1 can green beans or some frozen green beans
1 can corn or frozen corn
1 can of kidney beans
1 packet of taco seasoning or taco seasoning recipe (follow link)
olives to taste (I like about half a can, sliced)

Brown meat and drain grease (I like to add some diced onions to the hamburger when browning it). Add seasoning, tomatoes, corn and beans with half of the liquid from the cans (or add about a cup of water if using frozen, or beef broth is really good too), kidney beans, and olives. Heat through and serve with corn chips, cheese, and sour cream, if desired. This makes great left-overs too.

Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup

I got this recipe from my mother-in-law. It is so easy to make and makes great left-overs.

2 C. Chicken broth
1 C. Wild Rice
1 ½ C. Carrots, sliced
1 C. Celery, sliced
½ c. Onion, chopped
1-2 C. Water
1-2 C. Chicken chunks, raw
1-8 oz package cream cheese

Bring broth and water to boil, add rice and veggies. Cook 25 min. on low, covered. Add chicken chunks, cook 5 min or until chicken is cooked. Stir in cream cheese till melted. Season with salt and pepper, as desired.