cream of tomato soup

this is from the best odds diet

1 tbs butter
2 tbs whole wheat flour
1 1/3 cup milk
3 cups tomato or vegetable juice
4 tbs tomato paste
salt and pepper to taste
dash of oregano
dash of basil
1 1/4 cup cottage cheese
parmesan or wheat germ

this is another one i like to double for left overs.

melt butter over low heat in sauce pan. add flour and blend stirring constantly 2 min.

gradually and very slowly blend in milk stirring constantly and cook over low heat till gravy thickens.

stir in tomato/ veggi juice, tomato paste and season to taste.

continue cooking over low heat stirring often about 5 min.

serve warm topped with a couple spoon fulls of cottage cheese and sprinkled with parmesan cheese or wheat germ.

this is a great, quick and simple soup that is soo much better than any canned soup you can buy! good served witha  salad, or sandwhich or alone.

zucchini potato soup

makes 7 cups but i always double
prep time 20 min
cook time 40 min
important, cool time 5 min +


both vegetarian and none versions are good! just omit bacon for veggi version.

1 medium leek
4-8 slices of bacon
1-4 cloves garlic to taste
4 cups vegetable broth
1 lb zucchini, sliced (about three small squash)
1/2 lb small red potatoes, quartered
1 cup of 1/2 and 1/2 or 1/2 heavy cream and half milk, or for lower fat substitute 2% or other milk alternative.
1/3 cup chopped parsley
1/2 tsp dill
1/4 tsp salt if needed
1/4 tsp pepper if needed

also good to add
1/2 lb yellow squash
1 head broccoli
bundle green onions
hand full cherry tomatoes 1/2ed

1. remove root, tough outer leaves, adn tops from leek, leaving 2" dark green. thinly slice, rinse well and drain.
2. cook bacon if adding in large dutch oven over medium high heat 8-10 min or till crisp; remove bacon and drain, reserving 2 tbsy drippings in dutch oven. crumble bacon and set aside.
3. saute' leek, garlic and green onions in drippings or suitable oil 3-4 min till tender. add veg broth, zucchini, potatoes and any other veg using, simmer 20-25 min. stir in half and half, parsley, dill salt if needed and pepper to taste. remove from heat and let cool at least 5 min.
4. this soup is best blended for a creamy vegetable soup! process soup mix in batches in blender or food processor till smooth. sprinkle with crumbled bacon and grated cheese if desired. serve intimidately or cover and chill. 

Asparagus lemon and dill soup

this one is from a march issue of southern living, not sure what year. i have changed it up some and in our house it is known as asparagus leek soup.

makes 7 cups, though i always double, that way you can freeze some for latter.
prep time about 20 min
cook time about 25 min
vegetarian and none veg versions. 


1 lb fresh asparagus
1 medium leek
3 tbs butter
1 small onion, or bundle green onions
5 cups vegetable broth with some added miso soup mix for flavor
1/2 cup uncooked orzo pasta
3 egg yolks
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 to 11/2 tbs finely chopped dill
3/4 tsp salt or omit if salty enough with miso

also good to add
garlic chopped
mushrooms sliced
baby carrots 1/4rd
chicken cooked and divided into bite sizes

1. snap off and discard tough ends of asparagus; cut into 1" pieces
2. remove root, tough outer leaves, and tops from leek, leaving 2" of dark leaves. fineley chop; rinse well, adn drain.
3. chop onion or green onions. and garlic if adding
4. melt butter in large dutch oven over medium heat; add leek, onions and garlic and carrots if using; saute 4-5 minutes till tender but not browned. stir in broth, bring to boil over medium heat. cover, reduce heat to low, simmer 10 minutes. stir in asparagus, orzo, mushrooms if adding and chicken if adding. cover and simmer 10 minutes or till veggies and orzo are all tender.
5. optional but good also if not done, whisk egg yolks till thickend and pale. gradually stir in 2 cups of hot soup mix to temper egg yolks: slowly add yolk mix to remaining hot soup mixture, stirring constanty 2-3 minutes till thickened.
6. also optional but good with or without. stir in lemon juice, dill and salt if needed, serve imidiatly or if desired cover and chill.