Pumpkin Soup

Pumpkin Soup
2 T butter
1 onion, diced
2 carrots, peeled and diced
1 (red delicious) apple, peeled and diced
1 1/2 T sage
1- 15 oz can pumpkin
3 c chicken broth
1 c whipping cream
salt and pepper, to taste
Parmesan cheese, to taste

1. In a large pot, over medium heat, melt butter; add onion, carrot, apple, and sage; saute until tender, about 10 minutes.

2. Puree the vegetables (add some of the broth if necessary) and return them to the pot.

3. Add the pumpkin and broth and simmer for 15 minutes; stir in the cream and simmer for an additional 5 minutes.

4. Season with salt and pepper; serve topped with Parmesan cheese.

Slow Cooker Ham

Slow Cooker Ham
3 c brown sugar, separated
up to 8 lb ham (I used boneless)

1. Place one cup of brown sugar on the bottom of slow cooker.
2. Lay ham in slow cooker and cover with remaining two cups of brown sugar.
3. Cook on low for 6 hours.

Sauteed Asparagus

Sauteed Asparagus
1 bunch asparagus
3 T butter
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 c Parmesan cheese
salt and pepper, to taste

1. Trim about 1/4" off the bottom of each stalk of asparagus.
2. In a large pan, melt butter over medium-high heat; add garlic and asparagus.
3. Cover and cook for 10 minutes, shaking occasionally to make sure asparagus stays covered in butter. For more well-done asparagus, reduce heat to medium-low and cook for another 5-10 minutes.
4. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper; toss to coat. Serve warm.

Roasted Tomato Soup

Roasted Tomato Soup
8 roma tomatoes, cut in half lengthwise
salt and pepper, to taste
2 T olive oil, separated
1/2 c + 1 T water, separated
1/2 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 t herbes de provence
2 c chicken broth
sour cream (opt)

1. Preheat oven to 275* and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, toss tomatoes in salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon of oil; place the tomatoes, cut side down, on baking sheet and drizzle 1 tablespoon water over them. Bake for 60 minutes.
3. Remove tomatoes from oven, carefully remove and discard skins, and replace on baking sheet, cut sides up. Bake for another 30-60 minutes, until tomatoes are shriveled, but not dry. Put aside to cool.
4. In a large pot, saute onion in remaining tablespoon of olive oil over low heat until softened, about 10 minutes.
5. Add garlic and herbes de provence and cook until fragrant; add chicken broth and remaining 1/2 cup water. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes.
6. Puree tomatoes (and any liquid on the baking sheet) in a blender with a little bit of the chicken broth mixture; pour in to the pot through a fine sieve. Season with salt and pepper, and warm through.
Serve topped with a dollop of sour cream.