If you live in the Upper Midwest, then you may be wondering what happened to autumn. We went from sunshine and 60-degree days last week to a weekend filled with snow and below freezing temps.
On the bright side, the premature snowfall inspired me to cook up some of my family’s favorite seasonal soups. After all, nothing says fall like a flavor-packed bowl of hearty soup (even though it feels more like winter outside).
The following recipes are not only simple to make, but they can be infused with additional fall flavors by adding fresh seasonal vegetables from your own garden, such as turnips and carrots.
CREAMY POTATO SOUP
Ingredients:
3 tablespoon butter
1 large onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
2 teaspoons garlic salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
6 cups mashed cooked potatoes
2 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth
1/2 to 2 cups milk
Shredded cheddar cheese
Cooked crumbled bacon
Directions:
In a medium pot melt butter over low heat, and saute onions and celery until tender. Add garlic salt and pepper. Stir in the mashed potatoes, and then slowly add the chicken broth.
Add milk and stir (use more or less milk to achieve desired creaminess).
Cook until heated through and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Garnish with cheese and bacon.
CHICKEN POT PIE SOUP
Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup finely chopped onions
1/2 cup finely chopped celery
Salt and pepper
4 cups milk
2 tablespoons chicken soup base
1 /2 cups cooked, cubed potatoes
2 cups mixed frozen vegetables (or fresh seasonal veggies)
2 cups shredded chicken
1/2 cup heavy cream
Puff pastry sheets or uncooked pie crust
Beaten egg
Chopped parsley
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
In a large pot melt butter and cook onion and celery in butter on low until soft. Season with salt and pepper.
Add flour and cook on low for a minute stirring constantly so it doesn’t burn.
Add milk and chicken soup base and stir with a whisk until mixture comes to a boil and thickens.
Turn down heat and add chicken, potatoes, and vegetables. Season with salt, pepper. Let simmer for a minute on low. Add cream.
Ladle into oven safe bowls and top with pieces of puff pastry or pie crust. Brush puff pastry or pie crust with egg.
Place on cookie sheet and bake until pastry or crust is cooked.
Sprinkle with chopped parsley before serving.
Related Articles:
Soup’s On: Spectacular Fall Soup Recipes
More Hearty Winter Soup Recipes: Turkey and Rice and Tropical Chicken
Tips for Hosting a Winter Soup Party
Hearty Homemade Winter Soup Recipes