Leek and Potato Chowder

This is one of my favorite recipes to make. Its fairly inexpensive, but not so much low-calorie. It's very healthy because of the amount of veggies put into it, and is high in fiber.

($2.50) Bunch of Leeks (3 or 4)
($2.00) Bundle of Asparagus
($1.50) Cream of Mushroom Soup
($1.00) Can of sliced or diced Potatoes (drained)
($0.50) Can of Corn (drained)
($0.50) Milk

Total = $8.00

This recipe feeds many. Depending on 1-cup servings, this recipe can dish out probably 6-8 servings depending on how famished everyone is. Great recipe for next-day's leftovers.

Chop Asparagus and Leeks (including the green and white parts of the Leek stock). Pour 2 tablespoons of oil into a large chef-size pot. Add chopped asparagus and leeks into pot and steam until leeks become a clear color, and asparagus is soft. Add Mushroom soup, Potatoes, and Corn. Fill Mushroom soup can with milk, and pour into pot. Stir and put on medium until boiling. When boiling begins, lower heat to a medium simmer, and cook for about 20 minutes. All ingredients will blend and become soft. Add salt and pepper to taste (I add extra pepper because I like my a little spicier than usual).

Serve immediately. Store the rest in the refrigerator and serve as leftovers the next day!

Creamy Mushroom Tomato Chowder

Cheap, and easy. Different tasting than usual. You might seem a bit confused about the food combination ingredients, but you should try it, rather than sneer at it.

$1.50 1 large "family" size can of cream of mushroom soup (condensed)
$1.50 1 cans (15 oz) diced tomatoes with green chiles
$1.00 1 can (15 oz) sliced/diced potatoes
$0.75 1 can (15 oz) corn

Total cost = $4.75

Drain potatoes and corn from cans. Pour all ingred

edients into medium size pot. Heat on medium-heat for 15 minutes. This recipe is quite thick, like a stew. If you want to, you can add some milk to make it thinner and more "soupy." This recipes serves about 4 people. Enjoy!

Easy Split Pea Soup

Everyone knows that split pea soup consists of peas-- but not the traditional peas, such as canned sweet green peas or frozen peas. I'm sure you can make pea soup out of those forms, but I have not tried yet. If you do not like peas, you may want to reconsider, because I do not eat peas either. But I do eat split pea soup.

This recipe was very simple. It would have taken me a shorter period of time to make it, if I would have taken the time to soak the split peas over night. But... I didn't. :( By the way, great budget meal! Costing me a total of $3.50 at my local Walmart!


This recipe consisted of:

($0) 9 cups Water
($1.50) 2 lbs. Split Peas (green, dry/bagged)

($.60) 1 can Chicken broth
($1.00) 3 tablespoons Garlic, minced or chopped (I use pre-minced garlic from a jar! makes it easier)
($.40) 1 large Onion, chopped (I like big chunks)
($0) Salt and Pepper to taste

That's it for the ingredients. Full of fiber and protein. The peas should be pre-soaked over night. They will absorb most water while cooking, and start to break down, making it more into a chowder form of soup.

Cook on Medium (low boil) for about 40 minutes, when you start to see that they are breaking down. Then add the remaining ingredients (chicken broth, garlic, onion, salt and pepper).

And let it simmer on low-medium for 20 more minutes. It will thicken up and soon be ready to serve. Allow to cool for 10-20 minutes, and serve with salt and pepper on the side.

Add some Tapatio picante sauce to give it a kick if you'd like!

Soup for thought!

With the inspiration of my sister (whom I happen to live in a condo with, that has willingly and eagerly sampled all of the soups I have created), I have decided to share my soup inventions with everyone interested in eating delicious high fiber/high protein, *budget* soups I make on a regular basis.

These soups/chowders/stews are delicious and extremely healthy! Please follow with me and use these soup recipe ideas to add to your daily diet and health, just as we do.

I am terrible about using measurements, so I will try to "measure" out what I can for your understanding. I love to throw things together, and make it work. I like to use food that is extremely low cost, such as lentils, split peas, vegetables, pearl barley, etc. Anything I can get that is healthy, inventive and low-cost, not low quality.

My soup inventions are extremely easy. They literally involve no-brain function. Perfect for college students, or anyone learning to cook. And you can really make an impression on people with a great soup.

I like it simple, fast, easy and delicious. hah! I'm sure you do too.