I never quite warmed up to those pre-packed microwave instant "soup in a second" type soups or stews. We're missing the pleasure of simmering and stirring a gigantic pot of delicious, aromatic ingredients. A big pot of soup or stew does more than fills your family's bellies... it says "we're home." Ladle out big bowls of homemade soup and you not only thrill your family, but your pocketbook, as well.
Chances are, you've cooked up a few batches of Beef Stew and Chicken Soup for your family through the years. Recently, however, you look at your wallet and even though homemade soup is less expensive than prepackaged, a batch of Beef Stew just doesn't make the cut when it comes to your food budget. Or maybe you'd like to serve soup more often but don't know how to vary your recipes. Fortunately, when you look at some of the old fashioned soups, stews, and chowders that use simple ingredients, you'll find that, not only are they high in nutrition and fibre, but they're very gentle with your budget.
We're going to start with chicken broth as it's the beginning to many soups and stews. If you buy the canned or boxed kind it's certainly convenient, but can wreck havok on your budget. I'm here to say that it is within your power to make your own homemade chicken broth! You may not feel up to the challenge, what with all the TV cooks opening up a can or box, but trust me, you are ready. By making your own chicken broth you control the salt and flavors. You can skim the fat off after cooling, or leave it as is. Once you get the hang of it, you'll be able to fill your freezer with containers of broth and feel proud that you now have a supply ready to use when you need it, and at pennies instead of dollars.
Making chicken broth is not a precise science. Every cook has their own favorite method. You can use the bones leftover from a roasted chicken, or you may buy a whole chicken and use the entire bird for your broth. Either way, you just cover it with cold water, add the seasonings and vegetables you'd like for flavor, then simmer for a few hours, cool quickly, and freeze. Now you have broth to use that's worthy of your cooking!
The old fashioned soup bone is making a comeback. If you're looking to create a beef or ham soup or stew, you'll find that these soup-starters may be the most budget friendly way to start. Check the meat counter, but if you can't find what you need, ask the butcher. They love getting rid of soup bones, so don't be shy. Happily, simmering a big soup bone often leaves you with enough pieces of meat falling off the bone to add back to the soup. Even without any additional meat, these bones add tremendous flavor and make a good, rich stock. One other benefit... your pup! If you buy a nice 'knuckle bone' or other bigger bone, your dog will be more than happy to get rid of it for you once you've finished boiling it for soup.
When you're talking economy and nutrition, nothing tops the ever versatile bean. Packed with nutrients, beans and peas can be used as a protein substitute for non-meat eaters as well as an additional vegetable source in your diet. There are countless combinations of ingredients to try, so you'll never be bored with your selection. Starting with a traditional Split Pea Soup, or Black Bean Soup, you'll quickly be moving into more complex soups and stews like Chickpea and Butternut Squash Stew. Once you compare the cost and nutritional value, you'll be trying all sorts of bean, pea, and Lentil Soups. The flavor will keep you coming back for more.
Potato Soup in all forms was one of the staples in our house when I was growing up. Potatoes were plentiful, flavorful, and cheap, so that was all we needed to know. My Mom would take a big ham bone, start it simmering in the morning with some onion and celery, and by dinnertime we were diving face-first into steaming bowls of creamy, yummy Potato Soup. This is a great simple pot of soup to build off from by adding cheese, bacon, ham, and vegetables, but the traditional beginnings are always the best when it comes to Potato Soup.
Then there are the Chowders. You most likely have made a classic Corn Chowder in your lifetime. That in itself is a very satisfying meal. You may like to take your recipe and tweak it just a bit to add in some ham or seafood just to get your family interested again. However you make your Chowder, you are guaranteed some happy, warm bellies pushing away from the dinner table, while your food budget remains safe.
Include one or two soup meals when you plan your week's menu. Your family will appreciate pulling their chairs up to a table set with big bowls of steamy soup, and your budget will appreciate the hand-up, too. Feels like home, doesn't it?
Chances are, you've cooked up a few batches of Beef Stew and Chicken Soup for your family through the years. Recently, however, you look at your wallet and even though homemade soup is less expensive than prepackaged, a batch of Beef Stew just doesn't make the cut when it comes to your food budget. Or maybe you'd like to serve soup more often but don't know how to vary your recipes. Fortunately, when you look at some of the old fashioned soups, stews, and chowders that use simple ingredients, you'll find that, not only are they high in nutrition and fibre, but they're very gentle with your budget.
We're going to start with chicken broth as it's the beginning to many soups and stews. If you buy the canned or boxed kind it's certainly convenient, but can wreck havok on your budget. I'm here to say that it is within your power to make your own homemade chicken broth! You may not feel up to the challenge, what with all the TV cooks opening up a can or box, but trust me, you are ready. By making your own chicken broth you control the salt and flavors. You can skim the fat off after cooling, or leave it as is. Once you get the hang of it, you'll be able to fill your freezer with containers of broth and feel proud that you now have a supply ready to use when you need it, and at pennies instead of dollars.
Making chicken broth is not a precise science. Every cook has their own favorite method. You can use the bones leftover from a roasted chicken, or you may buy a whole chicken and use the entire bird for your broth. Either way, you just cover it with cold water, add the seasonings and vegetables you'd like for flavor, then simmer for a few hours, cool quickly, and freeze. Now you have broth to use that's worthy of your cooking!
The old fashioned soup bone is making a comeback. If you're looking to create a beef or ham soup or stew, you'll find that these soup-starters may be the most budget friendly way to start. Check the meat counter, but if you can't find what you need, ask the butcher. They love getting rid of soup bones, so don't be shy. Happily, simmering a big soup bone often leaves you with enough pieces of meat falling off the bone to add back to the soup. Even without any additional meat, these bones add tremendous flavor and make a good, rich stock. One other benefit... your pup! If you buy a nice 'knuckle bone' or other bigger bone, your dog will be more than happy to get rid of it for you once you've finished boiling it for soup.
When you're talking economy and nutrition, nothing tops the ever versatile bean. Packed with nutrients, beans and peas can be used as a protein substitute for non-meat eaters as well as an additional vegetable source in your diet. There are countless combinations of ingredients to try, so you'll never be bored with your selection. Starting with a traditional Split Pea Soup, or Black Bean Soup, you'll quickly be moving into more complex soups and stews like Chickpea and Butternut Squash Stew. Once you compare the cost and nutritional value, you'll be trying all sorts of bean, pea, and Lentil Soups. The flavor will keep you coming back for more.
Potato Soup in all forms was one of the staples in our house when I was growing up. Potatoes were plentiful, flavorful, and cheap, so that was all we needed to know. My Mom would take a big ham bone, start it simmering in the morning with some onion and celery, and by dinnertime we were diving face-first into steaming bowls of creamy, yummy Potato Soup. This is a great simple pot of soup to build off from by adding cheese, bacon, ham, and vegetables, but the traditional beginnings are always the best when it comes to Potato Soup.
Then there are the Chowders. You most likely have made a classic Corn Chowder in your lifetime. That in itself is a very satisfying meal. You may like to take your recipe and tweak it just a bit to add in some ham or seafood just to get your family interested again. However you make your Chowder, you are guaranteed some happy, warm bellies pushing away from the dinner table, while your food budget remains safe.
Include one or two soup meals when you plan your week's menu. Your family will appreciate pulling their chairs up to a table set with big bowls of steamy soup, and your budget will appreciate the hand-up, too. Feels like home, doesn't it?
About the Author:
If you are not a fan yet of black beans, you will be after you try our tasty Bean and Bacon Bit Soup or the always favorite Classic Black Bean Soup. Treat your family to a hearty soup tonight!
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