Wild Rice Soup

I love wild rice soup....seriously, it's definitely one of my favorite.  Creamy, delicious and with tender bits of vegetables and chicken.  This recipe is great with leftover chicken or turkey (hint hint...Thanksgiving leftover turkey).

Wild Rice Soup

Serves 4-6

Ingredients:

2 Cups Cooked Wild Rice

1/2 Cup Chopped Carrot

1/2 Cup Finely Chopped Onion

6 Tablespoons Butter

1/2 Cup Flour

4 Cups Chicken Broth

1-2 Cups Cooked Chicken or Turkey (Diced or Shredded)

1/2 Teaspoon Salt (or Nature's Seasoning)

1 Cup Half and Half

2 Tablespoons Dry Sherry

Step 1:  In a large soup pot, add the butter and onion.  Over medium heat, saute until the butter is melted and veggies begin to soften.  

Step 2:  Add the flour to the pot.  Stir, it may become a big lump - and that's okay.  Continue to stir and cook for 2 minutes.  

Step 3:  A little bit a time, add the broth.  Do not add all at once - if you do this, you will get flour lumps!!  Add just a little bit and stir into the flour mixture.  Once incorporated, add a bit more.  Stir until incorporated.  Repeat this until all the broth has been added.

Step 4:  Add in the wild rice and chicken or turkey and seasoning.  Let simmer for about 5-10 minutes.

Step 5:  Add in the Half and Half and Sherry.  Stir until incorporated and heated through.  

Mediterranean Baked Sole

Oh, I lose control . . .when you sever filet of sole.  If you can name that song . . .you get an A++ for the day!  Of course, if you make this recipe - you will also get an A++ for the day along with a delicious fish dish.  The credit for this dish goes all to my hubby.  He found the recipe here and made it for dinner the other night.  It is magnificent - and pretty simple to make too.

Mediterranean Baked Sole

Serves 4-6

Ingredients:

2 Lemons, 1 Sliced and 1 Juiced

½ Cup Olive Oil

½ Cup Butter (Unsalted), Melted

2 Shallots,Thinly Sliced

3 Teaspoons Chopped Garlic

2 Tablespoons Capers

1 Teaspoon Seasoned Salt

¾ Teaspoon Ground Black Pepper

1 Teaspoon Ground Cumin

1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder

1.5 Pounds Sole Fillet (about 10-12 thin fillets)

4-6 Green Onions - Tops Trimmed and Halved Length-Wise

Dill for Garnish

Step 1:  Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.  Lightly oil a large baking sheet or dish and set aside.

Step 2:  In a small bowl, whisk together juice of 1 lemon, olive oil and melted butter with a dash of seasoned salt. Stir in the shallots, chopped garlic and capers.

Step 3:  In a separate small bowl, mix together the teaspoon of seasoned salt, pepper, cumin and garlic powder. Spice fish fillets each on both sides.

Step 4:  Place the fish fillets on the baking dish. Cover the fillets with the buttery lemon mixture you prepared in Step 1. 

Step 5:  Arrange the green onion halves and lemon slices on top of the fish. 

Step 6:  Bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes. Do not overcook.

Step 7:  Garnish with dill to serve.  

And in case you are still wondering about that song lyric . . . . . you can listen to the song here.

Seafood Bisque

Happiness in a bowl.  That should be the recipe title for this one.  Decadent, sweet and tender crab and shrimp along with a savory blend of milk, tomato and seasonings . . .excellent soup for a meal.  Serve with a salad and revel in all things delicious.

Seafood Bisque

Serves 4 

Ingredients:

3 Tablespoons Butter

3 Green Onions or Scallions, slices thinly

1 Celery Stalk, diced fine

3 Tablespoons Flour

2 and 1/2 Cups Milk

1 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream

1/2 Teaspoon Black Pepper

1/2 Tablespoon Old Bay Seasoning

1/2 Tablespoon Sea Salt

8 Ounces Crab Meat

6 Ounces Cooked Shrimp 

2 Tablespoons Sherry

Optional Garnishes:  Additional Green Onion, Chives, Parsley or a dollop of Sour Cream.

Step 1:  In a large soup pot or dutch oven, melt the butter and add the green onion, celery and tomato paste.  Saute over medium heat until the vegetables are tender and the tomato paste has been incorporated. 

Step 2:  Warm the milk in a separate saucepan or in the microwave.  This will make it easier to blend into the ingredients in the next couple steps. Do not let the milk boil.  You just want it warmed.

Step 3:  Blend the flour into the butter/veggies.  It will kinda lump up into a big ball.  Continue to stir and cook for 2 minutes.  

Step 4:  Little by little, add in the warmed milk.  Be sure to stir fully into the flour mixture a little bit at a time.  If you dump all the milk in at once, it will be lumpy.  If you add only a little milk at a time and stir in between - you should have a smooth soup.  

Step 5:  Once the milk and flour are all incorporated, add the black pepper, Old Bay seasoning and sea salt.  Stir until combined.

Step 6:  Add the shrimp, crab and heavy cream to the pot.  Stir until combined and heated through.  Serve immediately.