Soup of The Week Week 3 Creamy Crab Bisque

This is soup builds on my Creamy Tomato Basil Bisque.

Ingredients:

1 can of tomato soup

2 cans of diced tomatoes

3 Tbsp chopped fresh basil (I use basil in a tube - it's great)

1 tsp black pepper

1 cup of heavy cream
14 oz lump crabmeat
1 lemon

Salt to taste

Pour tomato soup into large stock pot, add 1 can of tomatoes, undrained. Add 2 cans of water. Drained juice of second can into crock pot. Line a baking sheet with foil and spread second can of tomatoes on to foil. Place in a 250 degree oven for about 45 minutes or until slightly charred. When charred, add to pot. Add basil, salt and pepper. Add crabmeat, undrained, Cook on high for 7 hours. Add cream and heat through.When heated, squeeze lemon into soup and stir. Serve with Cajun Crabcakes.


Cajun Crabcakes


1 lb. lump crabmeat
1cup plain bread crumbs
1/3 cup finely diced onion
1/2 cup finely diced green bell pepper
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tsp powder
1 Tbsp Cajun seasoning
2 egg
Olive oil cooking spray


Mix all together and form into patties. Spray baking sheet with olive oil and bake at 350 until golden, turning once, or you can pan fry in vegetable or olive oil. 

Soup of the Week Week 2 Creamy Tomato Basil Bisque

This is one of the easiest soups ever. Again, I just use my crockpot to minimize dishes and keep free to do other things! I need easy - I have a crazy week ahead as we roll into 2012!

Ingredients:

1 can of tomato soup

2 cans of diced tomatoes

3 Tbsp chopped fresh basil (I use basil in a tube - it's great)

1 tsp black pepper

1 cup of heavy cream

Salt to taste

Pour tomato soup into crockpot, add 1 can of tomatoes, undrained. Add 2 cans of water. Drained juice of second can into crock pot. Line a baking sheet with foil and spread second can of tomatoes on to foil. Place in a 250 degree oven for about 45 minutes or until slightly charred. When charred, add to crockpot. Add basil, salt and pepper. Cook on high for 7 hours. Add cream and heat through.Serve with My Favorite Caesar Salad.


My Favorite Caesar Salad


1 head Romaine Lettuce, torn into bite size pieces
1/4 cup GOOD Parmesan Cheese, grated
Croutons
1/2 cup Ken's Creamy Caesar Dressing
2 Roma Tomatoes, Sliced
2 Tbsp diced Jalapeno


Mix diced Jalapeno and Dressing and toss with Lettuce. Top with sliced Roma's, Parmesan and Croutons.

Soup Of The Week Week 1 Minestrone

Minestrone is our traditional meal on Christmas Eve. It's just a soul warming soup for what is a typically cold day - even here in Texas. I do this soup in my crockpot so I am free to finish up last minute wrapping, cooking, and napping :)


Ingredients:


1 small onion, peeled and diced fine
2 carrots, peeled and diced fine
2 celery stalks, diced fine
2 14 oz. cans of diced tomatoes - plain or with garlic and basil
1 14 oz can Great Northern beans or cannellini beans
1 Tbsp dried oregano
1 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped fine
2 Tbsp fresh basil, chopped fine
1 Tbsp rosemary
2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
1 cup of water
2 cups of low sodium or low fat chicken broth
1 Tbsp black pepper
Salt to taste
1 box of frozen spinach (do not defrost)
2 Tbsp butter or olive oil
1 cup tiny shell shaped pasta






Heat butter or olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, garlic and celery. Cook until soft but do not brown. While veggies are cooking, add 2 cans of tomatoes (do not drain) and 1 can of beans (do not drain) to crock pot. Add all spices, chicken stock and water. Add onion mixture and frozen spinach. Cook on low 8 hours. 1 hour before serving, add pasta. Serve with Homemade Herbed Focaccia.



Homemade Herbed Focaccia


2 3/4 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
1 Tbsp dry yeast
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried oregano
1 Tbsp rosemary
1 Tbsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper - optional
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup grated Parmesan (like the stuff in the green can)
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 cup of water


Stir all dry ingredients together and mix in the vegetable oil and water. When mixed, turn out on a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth. Lightly coat a large bowl with olive oil or olive oil spray and turn dough to coat. Cover with a damp dishtowel and let dough rise for about 20 min. Preheat oven at 450 degrees. Punch down dough and shape into 2 round loaves. Place on a greased baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes until golden.

Okay, so I don't really have time for a blog. 


But I really, really want to blog. So here goes and please bear with me as I figure out the blog-o-sphere.


Why don't I have time for a blog?


Because of work, school and about a zillion other activities I participate in. 


Why do I want to blog?


Because I want to share the recipes I have created for quick but great dinners for the busy family.


So... here goes!