Cheeseburger Soup

Submitted by Pam Keckler Deckman 

1 lb. hamburger
3/4 c. chopped onion
3/4 c. carrots chopped
3/4 c. celery diced
1 Tbsp. dry parsley flakes
4 Tbsp. butter divided
3 c. chicken or beef broth
4 c. potatoes, diced
1/4 c. flour
8 oz. velveeta cheese
1 1/2 c. milk
1/4 c. sour cream
 salt & pepper to taste 

Brown beef and drain, set aside. In same pan saute the onions, celery, carrots and parsley in 1 Tbsp. butter 10 minutes till tender.Add broth, potatoes and beef. Bring to a boil, reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 10-20 minutes till potatoes are tender.
 Meanwhile in a small skillet, melt rest of butter, add flour, cook and stir for 3-5 minutes till bubbly.Add to soup, bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low.Now add cheese, milk, salt and pepper. Cook and stir till cheese melts.Remove from heat blend in sour cream.  Enjoy!

Like most soups it is even better left-over! Makes 2 1/4 qts. of soup.

Chicken Pot Pie

I got this recipe from Trisha Yearwood's new cooking show. 

This recipe was YUMMY.  Very filling comfort food.  It would have been better on a cold winter day, and unfortunately, it was 612 degrees here in Ft. Worth, Texas tonight. 

Now for the recipe:

Combine and boil till potatoes are done:
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped carrots
1 cup diced potatoes
1 cup frozen peas

While veggies are cooking, mix together:
1 1/2 cups of diced chicken
1/2 cup butter
1/3 cup flour
1/2 minced onion
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. celery seed
1 3/4 chicken stock (or chicken broth)

Drain veggies and add to gravy mixture.  When thick and bubbly, add 1 1/4 cup of milk.

After it bubbles again, pour mixture into an unbaked pie crust.  Top with another pie crust, and cut a few holes in the top.

Brush top crust with egg wash to prevent it from burning.

Bake at 425 degrees till crust is done, about 30 minutes.

Serve with cucumbers, biscuits or whatever!

If I were to do this again, I would make it with no chicken.  I know it's chicken pot pie, but I didn't like it.  The original recipe was meatless, and I think I'll stick with that plan, much to the horror of the boys in the house.  Ok...ok...I will most likely make two small ones.  We all win that way.

The Real Scoop
by Andrew Galvin
This had waaaaaay too many peas.  Keep the meat.  Lose the peas.