As soon as it is cool enough to wear pants, my family starts asking for soups. I am not a recipe follower. In most instances, I throw things together in a pot, pan or crock pot and call it a meal. Lucky for me, this works… and works well. My family is used to my creations and have started to learn to not ask what is for dinner and just be surprised… because even if I have made it before, it likely won’t taste the same the second time.
Here is one of my favorite “recipes”. Since I am sick today I thought I would try to convince my body to feel better with someone homemade chicken and rice soup. (It didn’t work but the soup was yummy).
In your crockpot…
Throw in some cut up chicken pieces. I use frozen chicken and just cut one large or two small breasts up into bite size pieces.
On top of that throw in some frozen (or canned) mixed veggies. Now, if you want to, feel free to cut up all your veggies one by one and put them in the crock pot. I just don’t have time for that with kids crawling up my legs and crying. I prefer easy.
Next, put in a couple cans (remember, I don’t measure so just do what you think looks good) of chicken broth. I sometimes use the granules instead but just do whatever you want. If you have homemade stock, use that.
I put one or two cans of cream of chicken soup in next. I like my soups a bit creamy and this helps.
If you have some condensed milk, add some of that…. like half a can. It just makes the soup have a richer flavor. I don’t do this most of the time but decided to toss half a can in today for fun; because it is fun ya know.
Add salt and pepper. Put the lid on the crock pot and turn it on low for 6-8 hours or high for less.
Now, I either make rice or noodles in my soup. If you are making rice and using real (not instant) rice, throw that in earlier than if you are using noodles or instant rice. About an hour to an hour-and-half before you want to eat, put some instant rice or noodles in the soup mixture. Add more salt if you like (I like).
Once the noodles or rice plump up, you are ready to eat!
Remember now, I make this for a family of 7. Even the baby had some tonight. We rarely have leftovers when everyone is home but you may need to not make as much if you don’t have the big group we do. Also, watch when using rice because if you don’t cook it first, it will suck up your liquid when it cooks. Just add some water and it will be good. It may not be as soupy as you had thought it would be, but it is good. Trust me. One other positive to this meal… it is really cheap. I think I figured once I can feed the entire family this soup for less than $5. That makes it an instant win for me… plus, I always have these things on hand so it is a quick meal!
Let me know if you try this. I know my measurements and directions aren’t the best but part of cooking for me is experimenting. I love to try new things in new ways. My family has only complained twice in 9 years so I think it is going well. If you can deal with my lack of concise amounts, I will post more of these type recipes as the fall goes on. How does that sound?
p.s. I was totally going to take a picture of my soup tonight for you, but well, I ate it. Sorry.
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