It's official...January is National Soup Month!  With winter well under way, warming up your home with a fresh pot of homemade soup will bring everyone to the dinner table.  We wanted to share a few very easy recipes that you can toss together when you get home that will give your family the home made feel!  After dinner, consider playing a board or card game and be sure to lite that fireplace for added warmth!  Here are a few different 1 2 3 recipes that are staple in my home and we enjoy!

Black Bean & Salsa Soup

2 - 15 oz. Cans of Black Beans drained & rinsed

1 1/2 Cups of Vegetable Broth

1 Cup of Chunky Salsa

1 Teaspoon of Ground ***in

1/2 Cup of Sour Cream

2 Tablespoons of Scallions cut into rings

2 to 4 Tablespoons of Shreded Cheese

Heat in saucepan over medium heat until hot

Serve with green scallions, a teaspoon of sour cream & cheese to garnish

Turkey Meatball Soup

1/2 Lb. Ground Turkey

3 Tbsp. Seasoned Bread Crumbs

3 Tbsp. Milk

2 Tbsp. Fresh Chopped Parsley

1/2 Teaspoon Garlic Powder

1/8 Teaspoon Ground Black Pepper

1 Quart of Water

1 Quart of Reduced Fat/Low Sodium Chicken Broth

1 1/2 Cup Slied Carrots

1 Cup Diced & Peeled Potato

1 Cup Chopped Onions

Combine ground turkey, bread crumbs, milk, parsley, garlic powder & pepper. Stir until blended.  In a 5 Quart stock pot, place water and chicken broth & bring to a boil.  Roll meat mixture into 3/4 inch balls.  Drop in a single layer into boiling chicken stock.  When meatball have lost their pink color, stir in carrots, potato & onion.  Bring to a boil again.  Reduce heat to a gentle rolling boil - no lid for about 25 minutes.  Serve with a slice of crusty french bread and garden side salad! Terrific!

One last quick tip - open a can of Tomato Soup, prepare per directions and add goldfish as a garnish instead of croutons or saltines...Kids love fishing for them!