CREAMY TOMATO SOUP (with chicken, bacon & corn) **Quick Meal**

I have such a hectic week, that I was excited to find a new quick meal from Picky Palate (done in 15 minutes!).  Click HERE for the recipe for this delicious Creamy Tomato Soup with chicken, bacon & corn... mmm.

White Bean Chicken Chili - Quick Meal

Since I teach piano lessons in the afternoon, I am always looking for yummy QUICK dinners.  Tonight I found a winner.  This white bean chicken chili from Our Family Treat was awesome!  All 4 kiddos ate it right up, even asking for seconds.  I cheated and used canned chicken from Costco, so it was super fast.  It only needs to simmer 20 minutes (told you it was quick!), but since I was going to be tied up until time to eat, I made this ahead of time and let it simmer in the crock pot on low while I was teaching.  Yum!!!

Potato Cheese Soup

Anyone else love soup when it's freezing outside?  Soup is such a comfort food to me during the winter.  I'm excited to try this Potato Cheese Soup from Christy at from glitter to gumdrops. Can you say yummmmm??

Boston Clam Chowder

Our mom makes a killer clam chowder - supposedly the recipe is from a restaurant that used to be around called Brattens.  I made it for my family last night and they gobbled it right up!  So delicious, it could seriously compete with Legal SeaFoods, McGraths, or Market Street.  It's also pretty simple and takes less than an hour from start to finish.

Bratten's Boston Clam Chowder

3/4 lb minced clams, or two 6 1/2 oz cans minced clams
       (you can use chopped, but I don't like chewing on big pieces of clam - kinda rubbery; you can also use just one can if you're not a big fan)
1 small yellow onion, chopped fine
1 c finely diced celery
2-3 c finely diced potatoes, depending on preference
3/4 c butter
3/4 c flour
1 qt. half & half cream
2 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp pepper

Drain juice from clams and pour over vegetables in medium saucepan; add enough water to barely cover and simmer, covered, over medium heat until potatoes are tender - about 20 minutes.

While veggies are cooking, in separate pan melt butter, add flour and blend and cook 1-2 minutes.  Slowly add cream and cook until smooth and thick, using wire whisk to blend... STIRRING CONSTANTLY.

Combine cream mixture and undrained vegetables.  Add clams, salt, sugar, and pepper.
Makes 8-10 servings.

ENJOY!!!

Taco Soup

I realize taco soup is nothing new or fancy - in fact, when I pulled out the ward cookbook tonight, there were 4 variations!  But none of them was exactly what I wanted.  So I made up my own and it was a hit!  The kids devoured it and it was so quick and easy to make.  If you go light on the toppings, it's a pretty healthy dinner, too (protein, fiber, veggies...).  Here's my recipe:

1 pound hamburger
1/2 onion, diced
1/2 green bell pepper, diced
1 28-oz can crushed tomatoes
2 16-oz cans dark red kidney beans (undrained)
1 16-oz can corn (undrained)
1 envelope taco seasoning
1 c water

Brown hamburger with onion, drain grease (here's a tip: instead of trying to find a can to pour the grease into, pour it into a bowl lined with aluminum foil.  Once the fat is solidified, just throw the foil away!).

Combine the meat with all remaining ingredients in a large pot.  Cook over medium heat for 20 minutes.

Told you that was fast and easy!  This fed my family of 6 with plenty left over.  If you're only serving 4, you can freeze half for another dinner!

Toppings:
shredded cheese
sour cream
sliced olives
fritos
diced avocado
salsa