Ham and Potato Soup

HAM AND POTATO SOUP

4 medium potatoes, diced
1/4 - 1/2 C diced ham (I use lunchmeat ham and it works well enough :)
3 stalks celery, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
1/2 C onion, diced
4 C chicken/vegetable broth (if you don't want it really brothy then just ad 3 1/4 - 3 1/2 C)
1/2 tsp garlic salt
dash of pepper
dash (small) of thyme

4 Tbsp butter
4 Tbsp flour
2 C milk

I just put the vegetables/ham in the crock pot with broth and seasonings.  Cook for a few hours on high.  When vegetables are tender then make the roux with the butter, flour and milk.  Add to crock pot and cook a little longer on low.

Cheesy Hamburger Vegetable Soup

CHEESY HAMBURGER VEGETABLE SOUP

1/4 pound ground beef/bison, browned and drained
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup shredded carrots
1 cup chopped celery
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried parsley
4 cups chicken broth
4 cups cubed potatoes

 4 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups cubed Cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cups milk
1/4 cup sour cream

You can make this on the stove but it is super easy in a crock pot.  Put beef, vegetables, broth in crock pot on high for about 4-5 hours till vegetables are tender.  On stove top melt butter in a sauce pan, add flour and whisk together to make a roux.  Add milk and whisk, bring to a boil.  Remove from heat and stir in cheese till melted.  Add mixture to the vegetable broth mixture and leave in crock pot another hour or so.  Turn off pot (or turn to low) and add sour cream

Note - this really is beyond good but I haven't ever tried substituting something for the meat yet.  If you do and it works let me know!!

Split Pea Soup

SPLIT PEA SOUP
*from Meredith

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 onion, chopped

1 bay leaf

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 cups dried split peas

1/2 cup barley

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

5 cups broth (veggie or chicken)

5 cups water

3 carrots, chopped

3 stalks celery, chopped

3 potatoes, diced

1/2 cup chopped parsley

1 teaspoon dried basil

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

In a large pot over medium high heat, saute the oil, onion, bay leaf and garlic for 5 minutes, or until onions are translucent. Add the rest of the ingredients. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low. Simmer for about 90 minutes, stirring occasionally.

If you don't have barely on hand you can substitute arborio rice