By Andy Bedwell
Let’s warm up the season with some tried-and-true favorite soup recipes from some of our supporters. They showcase a wide range of flavors and textures. We guarantee you that they will make a dinner delightful.
Brunswick Stew
1 3.5 pound Pork Butt
1 4-pound whole chicken
3 gallons water
2 cups diced peeled potatoes
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 beef bouillon cubes
1 cup diced onions
1 10-ounce package frozen baby lima beans
1 10-ounce package frozen corn
2 28-ounce cans crushed tomatoes
½ cup ketchup
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
Place the pork and chicken in a large stockpot with the water and bring to boil on medium heat. Reduce heat and boil slightly for 3 hours or until tender. When cool enough to handle the meat, remove fat and chop meat into small pieces. Measure 10 cups of stock and pour into a medium pot. Add the diced potatoes, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, cayenne pepper and beef bouillon to the pot. Bring to a boil. Cook for 10 minutes, then add the onions and corn to the pot. Cook until the potatoes and onions are done. Reduce the heat and add the meat, crushed tomatoes, ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, Worcestershire and lemon juice. Simmer for 30 minutes, stirring frequently. If it becomes too thick, add a little of the reserved stock. This makes 1 ¼ gallons and serves 10-12 people.
Andy’s Note: I have heard that this stew is fabulous. This is Kemberly Lockridge’s recipe and was submitted by her sister-in-law, Joy Allen. Thanks to both of you for sharing this recipe.
Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
1 celery rib, chopped fine
1 medium onion, chopped fine
1 medium carrot, chopped
5 ½ cups water or chicken broth
1 Box Uncle Ben’s Wild Rice with seasoning packet
1 Envelope Lipton Chicken Noodle Soup mix-there are 2 packets to a box
2 cans Cream of Chicken Soup
1 ½ cups chicken breast, cooked and chopped
2 tablespoons oil
Sauté celery, onions and carrots in 2 tablespoons of oil. In a medium size sauce pan, add water or chicken broth with contents of rice and seasoning packet, celery, onion and carrots along with soup mix and bring to a boil. Simmer for ten minutes. Stir in cream of chicken soup and chicken. Cook 10 more minutes or until vegetables are tender.
Andy’s Note: To save time or to use up some leftovers, you can use a rotisserie chicken instead. I can’t wait to try this soup. The combination of chicken and wild rice sounds delicious. Thank you so much for sharing this great recipe, Jenny Pilgrim Moon.
White Chicken Chili
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 large onion chopped, (1 cup)
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 pound boneless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
3 cans (14 ounce each) chicken broth
2 cans (15 ounce each) cannelloni beans, drained
2 cans (4.5 ounces) chopped green chilies, drained
1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
½ teaspoon ground cumin
Dash ground red pepper (cayenne)
1 ½ cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Chopped fresh cilantro, if desired
Sour cream for garnish
Tortilla chips for garnish
In a 4-quart saucepan or Dutch oven, heat oil over medium high heat until hot. Add onion, garlic and chicken; cook until chicken is no longer pink. Stir in remaining ingredients except cheese and cilantro. Heat to boiling and reduce heat to low, simmer 10-15 minutes to blend flavors. Top each serving with cheese, cilantro, sour cream and tortilla chips.
Andy’s Note: Another wonderful soup that I am looking forward to trying. Thank you to my long-time buddy, Carol Collins. Great recipe and a great cook.
Andy’s Everyday Southern Cornbread
1 ½ cups self-rising cornmeal
Handful of self-rising flour (about ¼ cup)
1 tablespoon of sugar
1 egg, beaten
½ cup Crisco oil
1 ½ cups buttermilk
Mix all ingredients and pour into a hot, heavily greased iron skillet. Bake at 425 degrees for about 20 minutes or until brown on top.
Andy’s Note: This recipe is for the person that says that they can not make “moist” cornbread. This cornbread recipe has been in our family for many years. When I have my cookbook at these craft shows, this recipe is discussed a lot. Never throw away cornbread. Cornbread salad is great to make with leftover cornbread.
Please send me your favorite soup recipes. A good chili recipe would be fantastic as well.
Happy Soup Cooking,
Andy
“Southern Cooking with Andy Bedwell” can be purchased at the Messenger on Rainbow Drive.
