Cold Day Prescriptions!

 As I've said before winter is a season where most people spend a great deal of time indoors. It's a time to catch up on house work, watch more TV, and do all those indoor things we often put off during the busy spring-fall seasons. Winter is a time of rest..a time to stop and regain our energy!! We will need it for the coming high energy month's ahead. The best we can do is use this time to think of activities that can be done indoors and keep our thoughts occupied..With that in mind...There's nothing better on a cold winters day, then a hot bowl of soup.. I get so many magazines with such great featured recipes, their glossy photographs, reel me in.. "I got to try that"..but then I don't because I get busy with other things. This winter I need to take the time to do those things I usually miss out on.. Why not..Bake more cakes..try new recipes, read more books..Be Happy with what I'm doing and not complain incessantly "I want Spring". Maybe contentment is being satisfied with the things you are doing now..not setting aside the moment because your wishing for the future. That's a good recipe for piddling away today's happiness for the unknown of tomorrow..So I'm really trying.. I promise as spring hits these posts will become alot less whiny!!LOL Below are several great soup recipes from Capper's Farmer Magazine..they look so tasty!! Two of my favorite soups, Potato, and Tomato Bisque..

HOMEMADE POTATO SOUP:
This recipe yields 6 servings
6 potatoes(cut into bite size pieces)            
2 onions (chopped)
1 carrot(pared and sliced)
1 stalk of celery(chopped)
5 chicken bouillon cubes
1 tablespoon parsley flakes
4 cups water
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp butter
3-4 strips of bacon(fried and crumbled)
Black Pepper
1 can (13oz can) of Evaporated Milk

In a slow cooker place potatoes, onions, carrots, celery, bouillon cubes. parsley, water, salt, butter, and bacon. Season with pepper. Cover and cook on low for up to 8 hrs. Or on high 3-4 hrs. Stir in the evaporated milk the last hour of cooking. Serve topped with some green onion and a little shredded Cheddar..Enjoy!!

ROASTED TOMATO BASIL SOUP
2 cans of peeled whole tomatoes, drained liquid reserved.
2 1/2tbsps packed dark brown sugar
1 medium onion (finely chopped)
3 cups of chicken broth
3 tbsp tomato paste
1/4 tsp allspice
1 can of evaporated milk
1/4 cup of shredded basil
Salt and pepper to taste
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray. arrange tomatoes on foil. sprinkle with the brown sugar, and top with onion. Bake for 25-30 mins or until tomatoes look dry and light brown. Let cool slightly then finely chop. place the tomato mixture, the reserved tomato can liquid, broth, tomato paste, and allspice in a slow cooker. Mix well. Cover and cook on low for 8 hrs. Or on high for 4 hrs. Add the evaporate milk, basil and pepper, and cook for an additional 30 mins. Bon Appetit!!