Help Gertdog!! Smoky Gouda Soup dilemma!

[Jewel]

I just got back from the store and was all set to make the Smoky Gouda Soup for dinner tonight and realized I forgot Vegetable Broth. I don't want to go back to the store. I know your recipe says water would be OK, but what about Chicken Broth and water? Do you think that would alter the taste in any way? I hate using just water.

Also, for some reason I thought the recipe called for diced ham and I picked some up, and after getting home and studying the recipe I saw it's not called for. What do you think, ham OK?

I think the lesson learned here is take my recipes to the store with me... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

Anyone else have an opinion?

[Mamasue]

Jewel....I would use the chicken broth versus water. I am sure that the hame would work well but it may give a different flavor. Can you freeze the ham for a guture recipe? Good Luck

[Jewel]

Thanks Mamasue! I think I will use the Chicken Broth, and I'll have the ham all ready to go, and if I think it needs it after the soup is done, I'll add it. Not like cooking it with the ham would add a whole lot of additional flavor, so I can leave it out until the soup is done, then maybe sneak a chunk into a bit and check it out!

Wish me luck...it's cool and rainy here in Seattle today, so soup is good food! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[SoCal]

Don't feel bad Jewel, I had chicken broth but thought I'd better buy vegetable broth. Problem is, I forgot the potatoes http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/redface.gif (Read: if it doesn't get put on the list, it doesn't get bought!)! And, I'm afraid the Lite Smoked Gouda won't last in my fridge until I buy potatoes the way I keep nibbling on it here and there http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif !! I'm hoping to get this soup made one way or another! Let us know what you think of it. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[This message has been edited by SoCal (edited 06-24-2001).]

[Jewel]

Well, we made the soup!! It was really good, but I have to say that I really embellished the recipe. I know my husband, and if I served him a bean soup with only beans floating in it I'd be packin' my bags... I know that Gertdog's soup by itself was probably great, but I know the way we like things, so here's what I did.

Obviously, I didn't have veggie broth so I used Chicken Broth. While the cubed potatoes and onion were simmering on the stove, I tossed in 8 cloves (we're addicts) of minced garlic. I used my immersion blender to puree the potato/onion/garlic/broth mixture on the stove, and that really worked well!! I added the three cans of rinsed beans, and I used 'small white beans' or Navy Beans. I also added two cups of diced ham, a half cup of chopped carrots and a half cup of chopped celery. The carrots and celery I'd sauteed on the stove with a bit of cooking spray to soften before I added them. I doubled the Smoked Gouda to nearly 2 cups, but my gouda had a really hard time melting! I served the soup with gouda shreds floating in it, but it ended up melting eventually! Go figure...

Anyway, DH and I really loved the soup, we just had to do our own thing with it! I LOVE the potato mixture used as a thickener instead of milk or cream, and it really adds a wonderful richness and flavor to the soup. I recommend it with or without my additions! Thanks Gertdog, and sorry for ripping it up! (blush!) http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[gertdog]

Jewel,

I'm glad you and DH enjoyed the soup. Embellishing and changing to suit our own tastes is what it's all about! I'm game to try the soup with the sauteed carrot-celery mixture next time... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif