Cheesy Potato Soup

Cheesy Potato Soup

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 45 minutes
Makes: 6 cups
Serving Size 1 cup

Ingredients

1 medium onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
1⁄4 cup celery, chopped
1 teaspoon oil
2 cups potatoes, peels and diced bite size
2 cups chicken broth
1⁄4 teaspoon pepper
3 Tablespoons cornstarch
1 1⁄2 cups nonfat or 1% milk, divided
1 cup (4 ounces) reduced-fat cheddar cheese, shredded
1 Tablespoon bacon bits or 1 slice bacon, cooked and crumbled

Directions

1. In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, sauté onions and celery in oil until onions are clear.
2. Add the potatoes, broth, and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15 to 25 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.
3. In a small bowl, stir together cornstarch and ¼ cup of milk until smooth. Add remaining milk. Stir into the potato mixture.
4. Cook and stir until thickened and heated through, about 5 minutes. Do not boil.
5. Remove from heat. Stir in cheese until melted. Top with bacon bits. Serve warm.
6. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Baked Bean Medley

Baked Bean Medley

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 1 1⁄2 hours
Makes: 8 cups
Serving Size 1/2 cup

Ingredients

6 slices bacon
1 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced or 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 can (15 ounces) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (15 ounces) great northern beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (16 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (15 ounces) garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (15 ounces) pork and beans
3⁄4 cup ketchup
1⁄4 cup molasses
1⁄4 cup brown sugar
2 Tablespoons worcestershire sauce
1 Tablespoon prepared mustard
1⁄4 teaspoon pepper

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Cut bacon into bite sized pieces and place in skillet. Cook over medium heat (300 degrees in an electric skillet) until evenly browned. Remove from pan and set aside.
3. Drain skillet, reserving 1 teaspoon of drippings. Add onion and garlic. Cook until onion is tender. Remove from skillet and add to bacon. Discard remaining drippings.
4. Mix beans with bacon, onion, and garlic. Stir in remaining Ingredients.
5. Transfer to a 9x12 baking dish or 3 quart casserole dish. Bake in a preheated oven for 1 hour.
6. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Use any mix of beans you have.
• Cook your own dry beans.  One can (15 ounces) is about 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 cups drained beans.
• No bacon? Use 1 teaspoon cooking oil to saute vegetables

Broccoli Raisin Salad

Broccoli Raisin Salad

Prep time: 20 minutes
Makes: 9 servings
Serving Size 2/3 cup

Ingredients

6 cups chopped broccoli
1⁄2 cup raisins
1⁄4 cup finely chopped red onion
1⁄4 cup unsalted sunflower seeds
1⁄4 cup bacon bits
1⁄2 cup light mayonnaise
1⁄4 cup sugar
1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar

Directions

1. Combine chopped broccoli, raisins, chopped onion, sunflower seeds and bacon bits in a large bowl.
2. Combine mayonnaise, sugar and vinegar in a small bowl.
3. Stir mayonnaise mixture into salad.
4. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.