Creamy Tomato Tortellini Soup

10 cups chicken stock

28 oz. Can diced tomatoes with juice

8 oz. Can tomato paste

1/3 cup flour

1/3 cup butter

1 1/2 tsp basil

1 1/2 tsp oregano

1 pt whipping cream

1 1/2 lbs. cooked tortellini (fresh or frozen)

Pour chicken stock into large pot and heat. Add basil and oregano. Then add can of diced tomatoes with juice and can of tomato paste, and puree all together. I use a hand blender (NOT a hand mixer) directly in the pot. You may also use a food processor or regular blender, but be careful when pouring and blending the hot liquid. In a separate pan, make a roux by melting butter and then adding flour. Mix the two and cook for 1 or 2 minutes. Whip the roux into the broth and simmer until thickened, stirring often. Next add pre-cooked tortellini and make sure it is heated through. Last, add whipping cream. Serve and enjoy!

Wisconsin Cauliflower-Cheddar Soup

Yields: 9 cups

2 Tbl. Margarine or Butter

1 medium onion, chopped

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp. salt

2 cups milk

1 can (13 3/4 to 14 1/2 oz) chicken broth

1 head (2 1/2 lbs) cauliflower, cut into 1-inch pieces

1 cup sharp Cheddar cheese

1 cup Pepper Jack cheese

In 4 qt. saucepan, melt margarine or butter over medium heat. Add onion and cook until golden, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in flour and salt; cook 2 minutes, stirring frequently.

Gradually stir in milk, chicken broth, and 1 1/2 cups water; add cauliflower and heat to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer until cauliflower is tender, about 10 minutes. In blender (with center part of blender cover removed to allow steam to escape), blend cauliflower mixture at low speed in small batches until very smooth. Return cauliflower mixture to saucepan; heat over medium heat until hot, stirring occasionally. Remove saucepan from heat; stir in mustard and 1 1/2 cups cheese until melted and smooth. Garnish soup with remaining cheese to serve.

Chicken & Wild Rice Soup
recipe found here.

Ingredients:

• 1 box (4.3 oz) or Rice-o-Roni's Long Grain and Wild Rice Original
• 1 1/4 c. water
• 1 chicken bouillon cube
• 1/2 c. each of carrots, celery and onion-chopped
• 1/4 c. butter
• 1/4 c. flour
• 1 c. cream
• 3 c. chicken broth
• 6 chicken tenders or 3 chicken breasts
• olive oil (to cook chicken)
• S&P to taste

Directions:
1. combine water, rice, and seasoning pkg into a baking dish. Bake @ 325 for 45 mins. to an hour-until rice is tender.
2. cube chicken and cook thoroughly.
3. in a large pot, melt butter and saute veggies until soft. Add flour in small amounts to veggies to avoid clumps.
4. to large pot, slowly add chicken broth and blend until smooth.
5. add cream and bouillon cube
6. add rice and chicken. S&P to taste and simmer to combine flavors.

4 adult servings.

perfect for those cold winter night. serve with a grilled cheese on sourdough or garlic bread and a green salad.