Soup for supper

Well, after posting my first blog I got to thinking...who wants to go shopping for stuff to make soup today? I guess the answer would be me..the plan is to make enough soup to last the week for under 5 bucks, and a good hearty soup at that.



I can guarantee you that I will be hitting the bulk section pretty hard to come in under the $5 mark, and it will be a meatless soup at this price, but no less tasty.



Hmmm...just thinking about all the types of beans out there in bulk-land waiting to be slow simmered and turned into soup. Or soaked overnight and turned into soup: red, black ,white, kidney, pinto. Don't forget peas; green, yellow and of course lentils and barley. Some places sell beans already mixed up for soup purposes just like this and I'm going to check em all!!!



Usually, when I 'm making a veggie based soup, I'll use powdered chicken stock, which can also be found in the bulk section. There are other powdered stocks that can be used, such as beef, french onion,turkey, ham, vegetable. It all depends on your taste.



So, when I get back from the store, I'll make the soup and give you the figures and see if I come in under the mark and let you know how it tastes.

All right..I just got back from my local three lettered grocery store and this is what I picked up in the bulk section:

$1.21 1lb of powdered chicken stock(no msg)
$1.01 1lb(2c) yellow split peas
$1.26 1lb(2c) mixed beans for soup

Conviniently, the scoops in the bulk section are about 1c levelled(I just realized this!!!)

I'm only going to use about half the chicken stock I picked up. So, when we add everything up the total is $2.87.

Add the beans and peas to 20 cups of water and chicken stock..on medium heat, bring everything to a gentle boild, stirring constantly. If your soup thickens up and reduces, just keep adding water. Check your seasoning, and adjust to taste.

Now, while I was shopping I picked a bag of carrots for $1.69 and got eight..$.21 each..I'm going to dice up 2 and throw them in and that puts us at $3.29.

I bought a 10lb bag of spuds for $5.99 and got 34...$0.18 each..two are getting cut up and thrown in..that brings us to $3.65

I have half a turnip leftover from last week and I think I payed about $1.40 for it..I'll throw that in too..that puts us up to $4.35

I warn you..this will make ALOT of soup, it may take two pots I'm realizing..and if you break it down over say...15 good sized bowls, the per portion cost is...$0.29, and that is pretty cheap..even by my standards.

Remember; the freezer is your friend, if you get sick of eating soup everyday you can always freeze the left-overs, medium sized zipper freezers bags are even a better friend.