Soup for the soul

Warm up this winter with these hearty, tasty and of course easy to prepare soup recipes.

Soup (photo credit: Courtesy)
Soup
(photo credit: Courtesy)
Soups are good are the perfect dinner all winter long.  What could be easier than making a soup in a crock pot? Stick the ingredients in the slow cooker in the morning or early afternoon and walk away until dinner time.  Perfect for the chef and the consumer!
Chicken Chowder
Ingredients-2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into small cubes or strips-2 (10-3/4 ounce) cans potato soup-2 cups frozen corn-4 cups chicken broth-1 onion, chopped-2 stalks celery, sliced-4 carrots, peeled and sliced-1 teaspoon dill-½ cup nondairy creamer
Directions1. Place all ingredients except nondairy creamer in crock pot.  2. Cook on low for 4 to 5 hours.  3. Remove from heat and immediately stir in nondairy creamer.  Let sit for 5 minutes and serve.
Black Bean and Potato Soup
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Ingredients
-6 cups beef broth
-1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained
-2 potatoes, peeled and diced
-½ pound smoked turkey, cut into chunks
-1 (4 ounce) can roasted green chiles (or 1 large green chile, diced)
-½ onion, diced
-1 teaspoon minced garlic
-1 teaspoon cumin
-1 teaspoon oregano

Directions
1. Place all ingredients in slow cooker. Cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or, if you are in a hurry, on high for about 3 to 4 hours.
Borscht

Ingredients
-1 head cabbage, shredded
-1-1/2 pounds beets, peeled and thinly sliced
-5 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
-1 parsnip, peeled and cut into chunks
-1 onion, chopped
-2 teaspoons minced garlic
-2 pounds stew meat, cut into cubes or 2 pounds flanken (my preference)
-1 (14-1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes, NOT drained
-4 cups beef broth
-¼ cup lemon juice
-1 tablespoon sugar
-1 teaspoon black pepper
Directions
1. Place all ingredients in crock pot and cover.  Cook on low for about 8 hours