Cheesy Vegetable Chowder

I have been waiting for fall since Spring.  As I get older it becomes more and more of my favorite season.  When I was younger I loved summer...but I'm over that.  

I love the cool crisp weather and being able to bundle up in a hoodie.  I love all of the beautiful colors and smells that autumn brings.  I love ALL things pumpkin, and now I love soups and chowders!  This week I believe fall has arrived.

The weather change has been wonderful!  However, going from 90 degrees to 70 degrees in a day has caused major allergies.  My husband and I have caught the crud!  So I was FINALLY able to have an excuse to start my chowder addiction.  Horrible excuse though lol.

This Cheesy Vegetable Chowder definitely got us hooked!  I have made three huge batches of it in two days!  Yes, it's that good!  It's full of broccoli, potatoes, celery, carrots, mushrooms, and more!  So yummy I couldn't have just one bowl!!

My husband got sick right before I did so I decided to try this out. He and the girls ate it all before I was able to get a full bowl.  The next day I got sick and begged for him to learn to make it for me.  He wasn't going for it :(  So....I went to the store and made it myself.  It was worth every bit of the Wal Mart chaos!  Now, I have some to freeze for next time! Woop! Woop!

Cheesy Vegetable Chowder

By: Crystal Barrett

August 14, 2014

About 8 servings                                                          (Click here to Print)

Ingredients 

6 tbsp unsalted butter

1/2 an onion - yellow - finely chopped

1 cup finely chopped carrots

1 cup or 1 stalk finely chopped celery

1 package sliced baby bella mushrooms

3 cloves minced garlic

2 peeled and chopped potatoes

4 cups Swanson chicken broth

1 1/2 tbsp flour

1/2 c water

2/3 c milk

2 cups finely chopped broccoli

2 or more cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Directions 

-  In a huge pot, melt butter on medium heat.

-  Add onions and garlic.  Saute until onions are transparent.

-  Add celery, carrots, and mushrooms to the pot.  Stir occasionally and saute until carrots and celery is tender.

-  Add the chopped potatoes and then the chicken broth to the pot.  Bring to a boil.  Let boil for about 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender and can be easily stuck with a fork.

-  In a small bowl mix flour with the water.  Add this mixture to the pot.  This should thicken up the chowder within a few minutes of simmering.

-  Add milk and broccoli and simmer until the broccoli is tender.  This only takes about 5-7 minutes.

-  Take the pot off of the heat and add cheese.  Stir well and serve.

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Garlic Butter Parmesan Noodles

I was pretty hesitant to share this recipe for the fact that it is TOO easy.  However, some people need easy.... like myself for example.

I remember being little and my mom would make these for a fast lunch or snack. The garlic smell would fill the house, and I loved it!  Some people don't like the smell of garlic, but it makes me hungry :)

Do you have a comfort food?  Everyone has a completely different comfort food.  Mine is always mashed potatoes or noodles.  These noodles are perfect because they aren't plain.  They actually have great flavor and are just light enough on the stomach.

Did I mention you only need 4 ingredients to make them!? 

  .

Garlic Butter Parmesan Noodles

By: Crystal Barrett

Makes about 6 full bowls                                  (Click Here to Print)

Ingredients 

1 box elbow noodles

1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter

6 cloves garlic

2 cups grated parmesan cheese

Directions 

1)  In a large pot, boil noodles according to box.

2) In a small saucepan melt butter.  Mince the garlic cloves and stir into the saucepan.  Let       simmer  about 2 minutes while constantly stirring.

3)  Drain noodles and put them into a large bowl.  Pour the butter/garlic sauce over the              noodles and stir.

4)  Let he noodles cool for a few minutes and then add the parmesan cheese.  You can add        as much or as little as you would like.

5)  Stir well and enjoy.

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