Tortellini Soup

Soups are one of the most versatile and frugal dishes you can make. They can be used as the main course or a starter for lunch or dinner. Soups can also be used as an ingredient in other dishes, especially quick assembled casseroles. Creamed soups in particular are ideal for forming the basis for sauces. If that isn't enough to convince you to make homemade soups consider that they are an ideal way to make a little meat go a long way as well as using up those little bits of left overs. Soups are extremely easy to make from scratch. You don't even need a recipe! Some of the best soups simply start out as an idea and evolve from there.

Tortellini Soup

The kids have been telling me for some time about a wonderful homemade tortellini soup they make. I know they have tweaked it from the original idea and like many soups it changes with what ingredients they have on hand. We enjoyed this hearty and flavourful soup for one of the dinners during my recent stay with them. Simply changing the vegetables or tortellini filling can make a difference in the outcome.

Method: There are no real measurements for this soup. Place about 12 medium sized peeled tomatoes in crockpot. Add about 3 cups of water or chicken stock, about a pound of ground chicken and one bay leaf. Set the crockpot to medium. Allow to cook for about 2 hours. Break up the tomatoes and meat. Add enough water or chicken stock to bring the liquid level to just under the ¾ mark. Pour in about 2 cups frozen cheese tortellini and 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables. Cover and continue cooking until tortellini is hot to centre.