Cold Weather Cravings...

Yep, when it is cold I crave soup. In winter they are definitely my favorite foods...come the hot humid summer I barely make them. When I want a warm delicious soup, that is not heavy, this is the one I make.

French Onion Soup

• 4 cups of sliced yellow onion, about 2 medium

• 1/2 cup butter, 5 cups beef  stock

• 1/2 tsp. thyme
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. fresh ground pepper

• 4 slices of cheese (Swiss, mozzarella, provolone,   Asiago...your choice)

• 4 slices slices chewy bread...you know me, sour dough is my favorite!

 Saute onion in melted butter in soup pan until caramelized. Be patient this will take a few minutes.

Add beef stock and seasonings and simmer 30 minutes.

 

Meanwhile, preheat oven to broil.

When soup is done, place 

oven safe bowls on a cookie sheet. Ladle soup into bowls, top with a slice of bread and then cheese. Place in oven until cheese is bubbly. Remove from oven and serve immediately.

 Be careful as bowls are very hot. I do not worry about how precise my onion measurement is. If when I slice the onion it comes to a little more or less of 4 cups, I just go with it. Bread is best if it is day old, fresh tends to get soggy to quickly.

 

Slow Cooker Rustic Tortellini Soup

I I have been out of commission for several months with major surgery, then out of town to visit the family, when we returned home...we brought back the flu with us. Which for me turned into pneumonia. I am just beginning to regain my strength. Yesterday it was very cold here in Central Illinois so I wanted something tasty and hardy to eat. This is one of my old stand-byes. Super easy to make and warms you up well! I served it with crusty sourdough bread and it was a perfect end to the day. I hope you enjoy this one!


Slow Cooker Rustic Tortellini Soup
1 lb. Italian Sausage or groaned beef, browned
2 cups chicken broth
1 can stewed tomatoes (I like to chop mine up a bit)
1 can Progresso Minestrone soup
1 tsp. Italian seasonings, to taste
1/2 tsp. minced garlic, to taste
1 package Tortellini (It comes in many different sizes, so give or take 10 oz. works great)

Add all ingredients except Tortellini to slow cooker. Heat 2 hours or longer on low. Add Tortellini and cook 20-30 minutes until done.