Recession Foods and Tips

Recession Food - Hamburger Soup

As the recession deepens, families are looking for more ways to stretch their dollar. This article looks at one type of dish that can be inexpensive, full of good tasting ingredients that can be modified to taste. If you make enough, you can stretch this dish to be savored as future lunch or dinner.

Hamburger soup is one of those recession era foods that can be made very easily in the morning as a crock pot dish that is ready for evening dinner. Of course, hamburger is the main ingredient, but there can be infinite variations based on preference.

Broth: Once the Hamburger is cooked, drain the excess grease and place into the pot. Adding a can of Beef or vegetable both will allow the soup to have a base that is not only healthy but will add the starting flavor to the dish.

Tomato Base: On variation to the recipe is to add a can of Stewed or Diced Tomatoes to the broth base. Some brands will also have Italian based spices included that can to the tomato flavor.

Vegetable Medley: There are multiple vegetables that can be used based on preference. Potatoes, carrots and onions are the most commonly used in this category. Even here you have some flexibility. No matter what type of potato is used, leaving the skins on will add more taste to the dish. Of course, you want to wash the potatoes thoroughly before adding to the soup. New potatoes are small enough that they can be added without being cut up which reduces the effort and time to preparation. Red, russet or fancy potatoes can be used, whatever you have in stock will be fine.

Added Flavors: As the Hamburger soup cooks, the number of ingredients you can use to increase flavor to the dish are countless. Based on preference and taste; Ketchup, Soy Sauce and even some beef bullion cubes can be added to the broth to not only thicken the mixture, but provide a sweet texture to the mixture.

From Crockpot Cakes to Chili, the crockpot is a versatile device that many people use for to create unique dishes with exotic flair. Crockpot cooking is one way families can save money and time by creating one-dish meals that are awesome as leftovers that can be frozen and taken out for a quick lunch or reheated for next nights dinner.

Cooking does not have to be a chore. Turn on your passion for creating healthy Low Cholesterol Meals for the entire family.

See more ways you can cook easy meals in minutes Hamburger Soup Video

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Montgomery_Emerson

Cheeseburger Soup - For Cheese Lovers
March 8, 2009

Cheeseburgers are favorite pastime%u2026 But have you ever thought about making a soup from the same name?

As the recession deepens, families are looking for more ways to stretch their dollar. This article looks at one type of dish that can be inexpensive, full of good tasting ingredients that can be modified to taste. If you make enough, you can stretch this dish to be savored as future lunch or dinner.

Cheeseburger soup is one of those meals that can be made very easily in the morning as a crock pot dish and ready for evening dinner. Of course, hamburger is the main ingredient, but there can be infinite variations based on preference.

Cheese/Sour Cream Base: Once the Hamburger is cooked, drain the excess grease and place into the pot. Adding a a couple of cans of Beef or vegetable both will allow the soup to have a base that is not only healthy but will add the starting flavor to the dish.

Variations to the recipe can take different directions based on tastes and imagination. You can even substitute lower fat ingredients to make a more health conscious meal.

Vegetable Medley: There are multiple vegetables that can be used based on preference. Potatoes, carrots and onions are the most commonly used in this category. Even here you have some flexibility%u2026 No matter what type of potato is used, leaving the skins on will add more taste to the dish as well as add more nutrients.

Of course, you want to wash the potatoes thoroughly before adding to the soup. New potatoes are small enough that they can be added without being cut up which reduces the effort and time to preparation. Red, russet or fancy potatoes can be used%u2026whatever you have in stock will be

Added Flavor Enhancers: As the Cheeseburger soup cooks, the number of ingredients you can use to increase flavor to the dish are countless. Based on preference and taste; Celery, red/green bell pepper are a nice addition. Jalapeno chili peppers can provide additional texture to the mixture and add a bit of a kick too.

From Crockpot Soups to Chili to Gumbos, the crock pot is a versatile device that many people use for to create unique dishes with exotic flair. Crock pot cooking is one way families can save money and time by creating one-dish meals that are awesome as leftovers that can be frozen and taken out for a quick lunch or reheated for next nights dinner.

Another Great Chili recipe

Creating a basic Chile is easy to do and can be completed within 30 minutes..Making this dish is quick, easy and great on cold afternoons in a large Dutch Oven

If you make extra, it is even better as leftovers the next day or freeze in small containers, and reheat in microwave.

Ingredients:

1. Hamburger
2. Chili Beans
3. Black Beans
4. Diced tomatoes
5. Salsa
6. Chili Powder
7. garlic powder
8. Salt/Pepper
9. Onion

* Boil a pound of lean hamburger in a large pot. Drain when done
* On medium heat, let meat brown and begin to add ingredients
* Add Water or Broth to mixture until desired consistency
* Heat thoroughly and add red pepper or seasoned salt to taste

Serve with flour tortilla's

5 tomatoes, cored (if necessary) and quartered
1 large red bell pepper, seeded and quartered
3 medium yellow onions, peeled, quartered
extra-virgin olive oil
5 plump cloves of garlic, unpeeled
fine-grain sea salt
2 - 3 cups light vegetable stock or water
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika

Preheat the oven to 375F degrees and position 2 racks in the middle of the oven. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper, alternately you can just rub them down with a thin glaze of olive oil.
Arrange the tomatoes, skin side down, on a baking sheet. Coat the bell pepper and onions with olive oil and put them on the other baking sheet along with the garlic, place the pepper skin side down as well. Give both sheets a light showering of salt, then bake until the tomatoes start to collapse and the onions start to brown and caramelize, about 45 minutes. Turn the onions if they start getting overly dark on the bottom .Check on the garlic as well, once the cloves are golden and oozy inside, pull them from the oven.
Peel the garlic, dump all of the roasted vegetables into a big, high-sided bowl, and puree with a hand blender. Alternately, use a conventional blender or food processor and work in batches. Blend in a cup of the stock, and keep adding the rest 1/2 cup at a time until the soup is the desired consistency. I like a little chunk and texture to this soup particularly if the weather has a bit of a chill, but smooth or chunky is your call. Add the paprika (she buys all her organic spices at SharpWebLabs.com, they come nicely packaged) and a bit more salt if needed - adjusting to your taste. Serves 4.

Chances are you have at least one bottle in the fridge and more in the pantry for the occasional hamburger and hot dog. But ketchup can be additive to soups and other meals where you need a thickening agent with a bit of sweetness.

If you have run out of tomato sauce, a quick squirt of ketchup can provide the tomato base flavor you are looking for. I frequently use a squirt in Chili, Pot Roast or Hamburger Soup. I also use ketchup as a final design on my meatloaf, 20 minutes before it is ready to a bit of flair and flavor.

If you have run out of Barbecue sauce and just do not want to run to the grocery store, a mixture of ketchup, brown sugar, spice and some worcestershire sauce can add a nice glaze to ribs or chicken when cooking on the Lodge Hibachi

So if you are in a pinch, ketchup can be a versatile ingredient to many dishes.

Quick and easy salad dressing...

Combine these ingredients together: Vinegar, Mayonnaise, milk and any combination of spices( Oregano, Thyme, Basil, Pepper, onion powder, garlic powder and whatever else suits your fancy. Shake and voila, A great Salad dressing is born.

You can also add or substitute:

* Paprika
* Chili powder
* Olive Oil
* Sour Cream
* Worcestershire Sauce
* Balsamic vinegar
* Soy Sauce

Crockpot cooking can be an ideal way to eat healthy, low fat meals that are relatively inexpensive, easy and take very little time to prepare. If you have ever cooked a meal in a crockpot, it is probably one of the easiest ways to prepare dinner. During certain times of the year you can create special dishes to commemorate various events.

St Patrick's day is just such an occasion that you can celebrate with a great Irish Beef Stew. This delightful dish will certainly fill the bill for those who want an authentic Irish meal when dressing up n their favorite leprechaun outfit.

Using your Crock pot, this stew can simmer the delectable broth, spices and beef to create a succulent creation fit for an Irish King or Queen.

The basic ingredients include:

1. Sautéed beef and Garlic
2. Beef stock
3. Guinness Beer
4. Red wine
5. Tomato paste
6. Thyme
7. Worcestershire sauce and bay leaves
8. Potatoes, Onions and Carrots

There are many recipes that dictate process and amount of each ingredient, but if you follow the Easy Home Cooking philosophy, you will create your own special recipe by adding the right amount that suits your taste buds. Add salt, pepper or a little dash of paprika to taste and you will find how a basic stew can transform into a signature dish that can be made throughout the year.

If you want add more Irish fare to the menu, try adding Irish Soda Bread, a pint of warm beer to accompany your Irish Beef stew and finish off with Irish Potatoes for dessert.

Top off the evening with a nice Irish Coffee and cigar (if that suits you) and put an exclamation point on the evening.

From Irish Beef Stew to Corn Beef and cabbage, the crockpot is a versatile kitchen tools that can be used to create unique or basic dishes with exotic flair. Defining your style with Crockpot cooking is one way families can enjoy great meals while saving money and time. Remember to make extras that can be frozen and taken out for a quick lunch or reheated for future lunches or dinners.