Ordinary Maine

Saturday is soup day in the Bessey household from Late October until early May. Soups are a great way to enjoy healthy meals and save money. I make most of my soups in a 5 quart crock pot that was wedding gift from one of my sister's in law for our wedding in 2001. Filled to the brim it cooks enough for one family meal fresh and then allows me to freeze on average three lunches and two other family means to be enjoyed later.

One thing that is very important to me is involving both Camden and Madilyn in the soup making process. Camden currently is in charge of stirring the soups and adding soup broth and other liquids when needed. Madilyn at two years is in charge of looking at the soup two or three times for quality control. I do this so that Camden and Madilyn can be involved with their father while he is cooking. It is important to me that my children know that both men and women share important roles in a family.

The soup above is Beef and Sausage with carrots, peas, potato, celery, onions and broccoli bits. Most of the time I cut fresh vegetables for my soups, but lately I have started to use frozen peas, carrots and broccoli. I never use frozen onions, potato or celery in any recipe. My base for this soup was two cans of private label (store brand) beef stock and two cans of tomato soup. Water was added to fill out the difference. The entire soup was seasoned with salt, pepper and some garlic salt.

I have a few rules about soups, which I will share with you. The first is that I never follow a recipe. Even when given one, I take and leave what I am interested in. That is a lesson I have learned from years of observing my grandmother cook. It always works out for me. The second rule is rather simple and important. Never cook a milk based soup (chowder) with garlic or garlic salt, as it will curdle the milk. Believe me that is not a cheap lesson to learn on a Haddock Chowder.

I hope to share more soups with you in the coming months. I will even share a bean recipe by the time spring arrives. Feel free to share a tip, leave some wisdom or just chat about soup in the comments section.

Soup for you!

Tony