creamy chicken noodle soup

I'm turning into my Mom in so many ways.  One in specific is that I don't measure anything when I cook.  (except when I bake. then I measure.) 

I wanted chicken noodle soup a few weeks ago.  And I really love soup when it's creamy.  Most of the recipes I know call for cream of chicken soup.  I've been trying not to use that stuff.  Ya know - high sodium, MSG, high calories.  Not that I don't sometimes still use it, I just try to use it less.  So I made my batch of soup and while it was simmering I remembered I had some heavy cream in the fridge.  Best decision ever.  It was the yummiest chicken noodle soup I've ever made.  And here's pretty close to how I think I did it.

 

 

Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

1 large can of canned chicken (Costco)

2 large carrots

1/2 package of wide egg noodles

1 can of chicken broth

2 cups of water

2 chicken bouillon cubes

1/4 c diced onions (maybe a little more?)

1 garlic clove

celery salt

salt and pepper to taste

1 cup HEAVY CREAM

 

I always put my pot on the stove, turn it on to medium and start pouring things in.  The broth, the water, the bouillon cubes.  Then I drained and threw in the can chicken.  I diced my carrots, onions and garlic.  I added the seasonings and then it boil until the carrots were tender.  I tasted it - added a little more seasonings, more water.  I added the noodles and then that boil for almost 10 minutes.  Then I poured in the heavy cream!  I let that boil for about 3 minutes stirring occasionally. 

Then I ate it :)

 

Beef Stew

I love homemade stew. 

I love having it simmer all day in your crock pot. 

 I love how the smell fills your house! 

I love how the longer it cooks, the better it tastes.

Do you get that I love it?
Here is my Mom's beef stew recipe - which I happily make!

Beef Stew

2 cups of diced roast beef (I use leftover from a pot roast)

5-6 potatoes peeled and cubed

2 carrots peeled and diced

1/4 cup diced onion

1 can of petite diced tomatoes

2 beef bouillon cubes

2 1/2 cups of water

1/2 tsp. of celery salt

1/2 tsp. of minced garlic

salt and pepper to taste
one brown gravy mix packet
2 T flour
1/2 cup of water (maybe more?)

Turn your crock pot on high and put in bouillon cubes and water.  Dice up EVERYTHING!

Open a can of petite diced tomatoes and pour it in - juice and all!

Add all the seasonings.  Stir.  Be sure all the vegetables are covered with water - add more if needed.  And then let it simmer on high for 6-8 hours.  The longer - the better! 

 A half hour before serving, combine 2 T flour, 1/2 cup water, and one gravy mix.  Stir together with a whisk and mix into crock pot.  After a half hour you have a hearty, thick, beef stew!

Follower Friday: Vegetable Soup

Dawnelle is someone I "know of" through my friend Caley.
I have heard amazing things about this girl!  I can't wait to make this soup recipe...
just take a look at the pictures! Yum!  Enjoy the recipe and be sure to check out her blog.

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My name is Dawnelle and I write over on Just Dawnelle about my life, my little loves, and my love for design. I'm super excited to be here with Tiffanie for Follower Friday!

I have a thing for food. I won't lie. Good food... you know the kind that just makes you wish you could start your meal all over gain? I also love cooking. My family cooks together often and it has got to be one of my very favorite things to do together!

So are you ready for the perfect cozy fall soup recipe??

I have a thing for vegetable soup... not the kind with noodles... or the kind with rice... or the kind with beans... but good old fashion hearty vegetable soup just like Campbells! The no fail, super easy, delicious kind! Are you ready for this goodness??

Ingredients

1/4 Cup Olive Oil

3 large carrots, diced

2 stalks celery, diced

1 small onion, diced

6 medium potatoes, diced

1 can peas

1 can corn

1 can green beans

3 cups diced canned tomatoes

12 cups of chicken stock (or water with bullion cubes)

1/2 tsp basil

1/2 tsp thyme

1 Tbs salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

Begin by dicing up the carrots, celery, and onion and saute them in the olive oil. Now you don't have to use olive oil but if you have it, use it... it just makes everything better! Promise!

Once they're all cooked up nice and good (you know so the onion is translucent...) so it's all steamy and loud and smells absolutely amazing... like this (oh if only you could smell it!)

You add the broth. Now let me give you my two cents about the broth... I didn't use actual chicken broth. I usually don't. I used water and bullion cubes. But I won't use any bullion cubes, I only like to use the bullion cubes found in the international foods isle like the Knoll or Maggi cubes. The other thing, sometimes when I make it, I don't use chicken bullion. Maggi makes a tomato vegetable bullion that is fantastic!! Okay... soap box is being put away... 

you add the broth...

and then let it boil! Once it starts to boil, take those nicely diced potatoes (I used red potatoes because I was hungry and wanted the soup to cook faster... and they're a softer potato so they cook faster.)

Let those potatoes cook in there for about ten minutes or so and then add the rest of the beautiful vegetables.

and add those spices... the glorious spices!! Don't you dare forget the thyme... it totally makes the soup! Plus, if you thought it was smelling good before, it is going to be absolutely incredible now!!

Then just let that little... well now... big pot of soup cook away!! Sometimes it needs more broth than others... depends on how thick or thin you like your soup. I like it nice and brothy (is that a word?) so I always add a little extra sometimes.

Check those potatoes after a little while... if you can stick a fork in them... your soup is done!! Eat it up... enjoy it!!

See all those little specks of oil... that's the olive oil I was talking about... they're like little morsels of savory goodness!!

Now... wasn't that easy?! and isn't it delicious!!

I have lots more fun and super easy recipes over on Just Dawnelle like this delicious Blueberry Pie and kid friendly Apple Crisp. I would love to have you hop over and visit!!

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Ingredients

1/4 Cup Olive Oil

3 large carrots, diced

2 stalks celery, diced

1 small onion, diced

6 medium potatoes, diced

1 can peas

1 can corn

1 can green beans

3 cups diced canned tomatoes

12 cups of chicken stock (or water with bullion cubes)

1/2 tsp basil

1/2 tsp thyme

1 Tbs salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

Saute carrot, celery, and onion in olive oil. Add chicken stock and bring to a boil. Add diced potatoes and cook for 10 minutes or so. Add the remaining vegetables and seasonings. Simmer for 30 minutes or until the potatoes are cooked (you can stick a fork in them). If you need to, add more chicken stock.

Thanks Dawnelle!