Soups, Stews, & Chili – Easterling Family Recipes

White Chicken Chili

Hearty and delicious. Good cold weather food. And did you know that Great Northern (a.k.a. white) beans are packed with potassium? Seriously, check the nutrition label.

Posh Chicken & “Dumplings” (Gnocchi)

It was my first time trying gnocchi, and I told my wife it felt familiar, like a “posh chicken and dumplings”. Rich and savory with quite a bit of visual appeal.

Chili (with beans)

Spicy chili with beans. Goes great with cornbread or grilled cheese (or if you’re from these parts, spaghetti noodles and a peanut butter sandwich).

This recipe seems like a lot, but it serves roughly 6 to 8 people (or, as we used it, 4 people twice). We made some homemade bread-maker white bread for the first meal and sweet cornbread for the second, and both went very well with the dish. Everyone (old folks, teenagers, and even my 1-year-oldContinue reading “Slow Cooker Potato Soup”

Sausage & Potato Soup

2 lbs Tennessee Pride Hot Country Sausage 5 lbs red potatoes, cut into roughly 1-inch chunks 2 large sweet onions, chopped 3 quarts (12 cups) water 1 quart (4 cups) whole milk 1 lb sharp cheddar cheese 12 chicken bullion cubes 3 tablespoons dried chives 3 tablespoons dried celery flakes 1-1/2 teaspoons salt 1 tablespoonContinue reading “Sausage & Potato Soup”

Taco Soup

1-1/2 to 2 lbs ground beef (73% lean) 3 cloves (3 teaspoons) garlic, minced 1 medium (1/2 cup) onion 2 packages (4 tablespoons or 2 ounces) taco seasoning 2 cans (10 ounce) Rotel with green chiles 1 teaspoon chili powder 8 ounces (1 package) cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (or 2 teaspoonsContinue reading “Taco Soup”

Chicken & Rice Soup

1/2 cup uncooked rice 6 chicken bullion cubes 4 cups water 1 tablespoon dried chives 1/8 teaspoon ground cumin Optional: 1/4 to 1/2 cup cooked chicken, chopped Directions: Add all ingredients to small pot or saucepan. Bring to boil; cook uncovered for 15 minutes or until rice is tender.

Beef & Vegetable Stew

4 to 5 lbs beef stew meat 1 large sweet onion, chopped 4 (14.5 oz) cans stewed tomatoes 2 (14.5 oz) cans green beans 2 (14.5 oz) cans corn 2 (14.5 oz) cans red kidney beans 1 lb baby carrots 1 lb frozen okra 1 lb frozen peas 2 tablespoons salt 2 teaspoons black pepperContinue reading “Beef & Vegetable Stew”

Beef in Brown Gravy

3 lbs stew meat or beef tips 2 medium onions (sweet yellow recommended), roughly chopped 2 lbs frozen peas 3 (0.87 oz/24 g) packages McCormick Brown Gravy mix 8 beef bullion cubes 1 to 2 teaspoons coarse black pepper 2 to 3 tablespoons vegetable oil 2-1/2 to 3 cups water Directions: Turn Instant Pot toContinue reading “Beef in Brown Gravy”

Tortilla Soup

4 cups chicken stock 1 cup water 2 tablespoons chili powder 14 oz can diced tomatoes with green chiles 2 cups chicken, cooked Toppings: Avocado, chopped Queso fresco or shredded Monterey Jack cheese Lime Wedges Cilantro, chopped Toasted corn tortilla strips Directions: Heat all ingredients except toppings until thoroughly warmed. To serve, add toppings. (ThereContinue reading “Tortilla Soup”