Cheeseburger Soup

1/2 pound ground beef
3/4 cup chopped onion
3/4 cup shredded carrots
3/4 cup diced celery
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried parsley flakes
4 Tablespoons butter or margarine, divided
3 cups chicken broth
4 cups diced, peeled potatoes
1/4 cup flour
8 ounces american, processed cheese (2 cups)
1 to 1-1/2 cups of milk
3/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 cup sour cream

In a 3 quart saucepan, brown beef, drain, and then set aside the beef.  In the same pan, sautee onions, carrots, celery, basil, parsley, 1 Tablespoon of butter, until vegetables are tender.  About 10 minutes.  Add broth, potatoes, and beef, bring to a boil.  Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes, until potatoes are tender.  Meanwhile, in a small skillet, melt remaining butter, and add flour.  Cook and stir for 3-5 minutes until bubbly, then add to your soup.  Cook and stir for 2 minutes.  Reduce heat to low, then add your cheese, milk, salt and pepper.  Cook and stir until cheese melts.  Remove from heat, blend in your sour cream. 

Mushroom Soup

My kiddo LOVES mushroom soup, and he's been asking me to make him some since he discovered it at a resturaunt last Fall.  I tried this recipe, and I really liked it.

8 oz fresh mushrooms
2 Tablespoons onions, chopped
1-2 garlic cloves, minced
2 Tablespoons butter
2-3 Tablespoons flour (separated)
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup light cream or evaporated milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Cut the mushrooms into slices.  Melt butter in large frying pan.  Add in the onions, garlic, and mushrooms.  Cook until onions are soft.  Blend in 2 Tablespoons flour and stir.  Add in the chicken broth and heat until slightly thickened while stirring frequently.  Stir cream with additional 1 Tablespoon flour.  Add in cream to soup.  Heat to thicken while stirring frequently.  Serve and enjoy!

The changes I made were using 1/2 n 1/2 instead of cream.  It required an extra Tablespoon of flour to it because it's not quite as thick as cream.  I'd also add just a dash of nutmeg.  I love the flavor it adds to the soup, but to me it was just a little too strong. Overall, great recipe.  I have a feeling we'll be eating this again!