Soups and Salads from Potlucks on the Porch

Italian Soup

Pork Apple Cider Soup

Butternut Squash Soup

Corn Chowder

Bench Stew

Chicken Noodle Soup 

Heavenly Salad and Homemade Ranch

Kid Friendly Mandarin Orange and Chicken Salad

Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad

ENJOY!!

Jan

Quick and Healthy Italian Soup

 I am happy that some of you readers requested quick and healthy recipes because that's EXACTLY what I need in my own home!! I've pulled out all of my best guiltless dinners and desserts that come together fast, and I'll be posting them all!
This is one of my absolute favorites because it's so quick and light...

Ingredients:
1/4 lb. fresh mushrooms (optional- buy the mushrooms sliced)
1 tsp. butter
3 C. chicken broth
2 C. cooked chicken (optional- use canned chicken)
1 (16 oz.) can tomato sauce
1/2 cup thinly sliced carrots (optional- buy the matchstick carrots)
1/2 C. minute rice
1 small zucchini or yellow squash sliced thin
1 pkg. Italian Dressing Mix

Directions:
Saute mushrooms in butter. Add broth, tomatoes, and tomato sauce. Bring to a boil. Add all other ingredients. Simmer 10 minutes. DONE!

Serve with sliced french bread, and even the kids will love dipping bread in the soup and eating it!

Enjoy!
~Nancy


Linking to: Weekend Wrap up Party ,  Tidy Mom , Whipperberry , The Best Blog Recipes , Ladybird Lane , Six Sisters' Stuff , Family Fun Archives , Thirty Handmade Days 
Or So She Says   The Gingerbread Blog   Show n' Tell Saturday   Too Much Time on My Hands   It's Overflowing

Bench Stew in 3 Easy Steps

With the temperature being so COLD in our

neck of the woods, this family favorite

warms your tummy and your toes! 

My sister gave me this recipe from a guy that she went to college with. 
She calls it Bench Stew. 

Serve with with rolls or bread and it's a perfect meal to warm your soul!

3 Easy Steps

1.  Cut up Veggies and Meat.

2.  Add 2 cans of Family Size Cream of Mushroom Soup and 1 can of water.

3.  Cook in Crockpot 6-7 hours or until carrots and potatoes are soft.

Seriously, it is that easy.  I like to buy "Stew" meat already cut up and packaged in the meat department but you could buy a roast or steak and cut into cubes as well. I like to put my meat at the bottom of the pot.  I  use one package of bagged baby carrots ( you can cut in half if they are too big), 6 potatoes peeled and cut into chunks, 1 onion peeled and cut into cubes.   Add cream of Mushroom Soup and water.  After soup dissolves ( about two hours) stir stew around. Cook on Low for 6-7 hours. It smells so good and you will be warmed up on a cold night in your neck of the woods too!

Enjoy!

Jan

Corn Chowder... inspired by Mimi's Cafe

Exactly eight years ago, my husband and I were moving into or first house. I was nearly 9 months pregnant and miserable. Moving made me especially exhausted, obviously. Certain delays pushed our "move in"date nearly a month after we'd planned. I remember being just bone tired, and thinking I could not lift another finger. Our first baby was coming any day, and I knew I needed to muster up the energy to get at least her room unpacked.

One evening as we were unpacking, our friends came over with corn chowder in pumpkin shaped soup bowls. It was divinely delicious. They also helped us unpack. My soul was delighted by the cuteness of the soup bowls, and warmed by the soup inside. Their timely help is one of the sweetest memories I have.

Ever since then, corn chowder in pumpkin bowls is one of my very favorite meals for this time of year. A friend gave me this recipe from Mimi's Cafe, and it is so good! If your local grocery store doesn't sell soup bowls, make some with this recipe from The Idea Door. Or just serve it in regular bowls (it's almost as good as it is in pumpkin shaped bread bowls:).

Seriously, make some. It's easy and yummy.
XO,
Nancy