French Country Soup Recipes

Steps:

• Sort beans and rinse in cold water. Place beans in a Dutch oven; add water to cover by 2 in. Bring to a boil; boil for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat; cover and let stand for 1-4 hours or until beans are softened., Drain and rinse beans, discarding liquid; return beans to the pan. Add the ham hocks, water, salt and pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 3 hours or until beans are tender., Remove ham hocks; set aside until cool enough to handle. Add the tomatoes, onions, lemon juice, garlic and chili powder to the beans. Simmer 1 hour longer., Remove ham from bones and cut into cubes; discard bones. Return ham to soup. Stir in the kielbasa, chicken, wine and parsley. Simmer for 30-40 minutes or until heated through and as thick as desired.

Steps:

• Melt 3 Tablespoons butter in a soup kettle.
• Add carrots, leeks, cabbage and celery.
• Saute over low heat, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes.
• Add salt, sugar, water and beef broth; bring to a boil.
• Add beans and potatoes.
• Cover, reduce heat and simmer 45 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
• Strain vegetables, reserving the liquid.
• With a food mill, blender or food processor, puree vegetables.
• Return cooking liquid and puree to the soup kettle, stir to combine and reheat.
• Season with salt and pepper if desired.
• Meanwhile, melt 2 Tablespoons butter in a skillet.
• Saute bread slices in butter, turning to saute both sides, until golden.
• Place one slice of bread into each of 6 soup bowls; cover with soup.
• Sprinkle with grated cheese.

Steps:

• Rinse the beans, then drain.
• ADd the beans and water to a large soup pot.
• Bring to a boil; lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Take off the stove and let set for 1 hour.
• Drain beans and rinse.
• Transfer beans to a 6-quart slow-cooker along with stew meat, and the rest of the ingredients; stir to combine.
• Cover and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours.
• Take out bay leaves and adjust seasonings to taste;.
• Serve.

Steps:

• Melt butter with olive oil in an 8 quart stock pot on medium heat. Add onions and continually stir until tender and translucent. Do not brown the onions.
• Add beef broth, sherry and thyme. Season with salt and pepper, and simmer for 30 minutes.
• Heat the oven broiler.
• Ladle soup into oven safe serving bowls and place one slice of bread on top of each (bread may be broken into pieces if you prefer). Layer each slice of bread with a slice of provolone, 1/2 slice diced Swiss and 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese. Place bowls on cookie sheet and broil in the preheated oven until cheese bubbles and browns slightly.

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, heat 2 tablespoons oil and butter over medium heat. Add onions; cook and stir until softened, 10-13 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, stirring occasionally, until deep golden brown, 30-40 minutes. Add minced garlic; cook 2 minutes longer., Stir in wine. Bring to a boil; cook until liquid is reduced by half. Add broth, pepper and salt; return to a boil. Reduce heat. Simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, for 1 hour. , Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400°. Place baguette slices on a baking sheet; brush both sides with remaining 3 tablespoons oil. Bake until toasted, 3-5 minutes on each side. Rub toasts with halved garlic. , To serve, place twelve 8-oz. broiler-safe bowls or ramekins on baking sheets; place 2 toasts in each. Ladle with soup; top with cheese. Broil 4 in. from heat until cheese is melted.