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We are in the season of winter (as if we didn't know that!) and we are also in the season of soups, oven meals, stews and whatever else warms and fills our tummies. When I make soup, I always make a big batch to share with our kids or invite friends for a "soup supper." This is a good way to have friends over to visit with and share food that doesn't need tending to at the last minute. What to serve with it? French bread, a quick bread, muffins or crackers, and a plate of different kinds of cheese.

What's for dessert? Skip making a pie, cake or some other time consuming dessert. Make apple crisp and serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped topping.

Let's make soup. I like cream soups, made from scratch. I have a basic cream soup recipe that can be used in many ways.

BASIC CREAM SOUP

1/4 c. finely chopped celery and onion

1/4 c. margarine or butter

3 T. flour

1/8 t. each, salt and pepper

1-1/2 c. each, milk and chicken broth (you can make the broth using bouillon cubes or powder). Combine and heated slightly in a saucepan

In a medium saucepan, saute celery and onion in margarine until tender. Stir in flour, salt and pepper. Over medium-high heat, cook 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until smooth and bubbly. Gradually stir in milk and broth; cook until slightly thickened, stirring constantly. DO NOT BOIL.

Makes four servings.

For a variety of soups, continue as directed adding one of the following recipes. All of these cream soups should be heated thoroughly but not boiled. With added ingredients, these soups will serve 5-6.

Carrot Cream Soup: Stir in 2 c. carrots, sliced, cooked and drained, 1/2 t. grated orange peel (optional) and 1/8 t. nutmeg.

Potato Cream Soup: Stir in 2 c. cooked, peeled and diced potatoes, 2 t. Worcestershire sauce and 1/4 t. dry mustard.

Cauliflower Cream Soup: Stir in 2 c. cut-up, cooked cauliflower, drained and 1/2 t. dill weed.

Cream of Mushroom Soup: Stir in 3 c. chopped fresh mushrooms, sauteed in 2 T. butter or margarine.

Broccoli Cream Soup: Stir in 2 c. cut-up cooked broccoli, drained, 2 t. lemon juice and 1/4 t. garlic powder.

Cream of Vegetable Soup: Stir in 2 c. frozen mixed veggies of your choice, cooked and drained.

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This isn't exactly a "scratch" soup but part of it is and it's ready in 25 minutes, start to finish.

CREAMY WILD

RICE AND

VEGETABLE

CHOWDER

2 T. margarine or butter

1 c. diced onion (1 medium - large)

1 c. thinly sliced carrots (2 medium)

1-4 oz. can mushrooms, drained and coarsely chopped

1 c. chicken broth

1 pkg. (6.25 oz.) quick-cooking long grain and wild rice mix

2 c. milk

1 - 15 oz. can whole kernel corn, drained

1 can cream of potato soup

Melt margarine in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Saute onions and carrots in margarine until tender, about 5 minutes. Add mushrooms, broth, rice and contents of seasoning packet from rice. Heat to boiling. Cover; reduce heat to low. Simmer about 5 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine milk, corn and soup. Add to rice mixture. Heat over low-medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through.

Makes six servings.

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CREAMY

CAULIFLOWER AND HAM CHOWDER

1 c. thinly sliced celery

2 c. small caulifloweretts or large pieces, sliced

1 - 14 oz. can chicken broth

1 c. half and half or evaporated milk

1 can cream of potato soup

1/4 c. water

2 T. cornstarch

1/8 t. white pepper

2 c. cooked, diced ham

1/2 c. shredded Cheddar cheese

In a large saucepan, cook celery in chicken broth for 5 minutes. Add cauliflower; cook additional 4-5 minutes or until almost tender. Do not drain; set aside. In mixing bowl, gradually stir in half-and-half milk into undiluted potato soup. Blend water, cornstarch and pepper in small container until smooth. Stir into soup mixture; add to cauliflower mixture. Stir in ham. Simmer over low heat for 10 minutes or until heated through. Just before serving stir in cheese until melted.

Makes six servings.

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Thought for the Day: Be glad of life because it gives you the chance to love, work, play and to look up at the stars.

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