Vegetable Cheese Chowder

This one is a keeper!!

INGREDIENTS:

32 oz chicken broth
2 cups water
1 bunch broccoli, finely chopped
2 medium Idaho potatoes, finely chopped
2 celery stick, finely chopped 

1 small onion, shredded or finely diced

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups regular milk
2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 cup water

2/3 cup milk

flour and water, one part flour to two parts water to thicken

DIRECTIONS:

Combine chicken broth and water in a large soup pot and add diced vegetables.  Simmer until the vegetables are tender.  Add milk.

Combine 1/2 cup flour with one cup water in a separate bowl and mix well with a whisk until all lumps are gone.  Stir in flour and water mixture into vegetable broth mixture until bubbly.  You may continue to thicken as needed.

When it has thickened to your liking, cook and stir one minute more to completely cook flour then simmer 15-20 minutes longer.  Add two cups shredded cheddar cheese.  Simmer until cheese melts.

Summer Vegetarian Chili

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 cup chopped red onion
• 5 large cloves garlic, crushed or minced
• 2 tablespoons chili powder, or more to taste
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 cups juicy chopped fresh tomatoes
• 1 (15 ounce) can no-salt-added black beans, drained
• 1 cup water (or red wine)
• 1 cup chopped bell pepper (any color)
• 1 cup chopped zucchini
• 1 cup corn kernels
• 1 cup chopped white or portobello mushrooms
• 1 cup chopped fresh cilantro, packed
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or more to taste
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Heat oil in medium pot. Add onion, garlic, chili powder and cumin. Saute over medium heat until onion is soft, about 5 minutes. Add remaining ingredients (except garnishes) and stir. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer 20 minutes or until vegetables are soft. Add more liquid if needed.
2. Serve alone or over rice (preferably brown). Garnish if desired with any of the following: reduced-fat cheddar cheese, onion, fat-free sour cream, guacamole, fresh cilantro.