I made this first recipe for lunch today and remembered how much I love it so I just have to share! I adore fast soups so much. My friends Amy and Liz gave these recipes to me and I have loved using them. I've modified them to make them my own. Hope you try them and enjoy!
Cream of Wild Rice Soup:
Saute:
1 large onion, finely chopped
3 ribs of celery, finely chopped
3-4 carrots, finely chopped
After they are soft, add 1/4c. butter and 1/4c. flour. Cook for about 1 minute then add:
8c. chicken stock*
Bring to a boil to thicken and add:
3c. cooked brown rice (you can use 2 packages of Uncle Ben's brown/wild rice combo and it's so good)
1c. leftover cubed chicken or turkey
1 can fat free evaporated milk
Salt and pepper to taste
Chicken Pot Pie Soup:
Saute:
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 chicken breasts in small cubes
Add 1/4c. butter and 1/4c. flour and cook 1 minute.
Add:
1 quart chicken stock *
Let boil to thicken and then add:
1 can fat free evaporated milk
1/2 bag hash brown square potatoes (frozen) OR diced potatoes
1 bag frozen mixed vegetables
Cook until veggies are tender.
Salt and pepper to taste.
Top each bowl with:
Puff pastry sheet cut into 1 inch squares and cooked according to package instructions until puffy and golden brown
OR
Pie crust cut into 1 inch squares and cooked until golden brown.
Tortellini Soup:
Saute:
1 large onion
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated
(optional) mushrooms or artichoke hearts
Add:
2 quarts chicken stock *
Bring to a boil and then add:
1 bag frozen tortellini
2 small cans diced tomatoes WITH the juice
Salt and pepper to taste
Cook until tortellini is done. Can you believe it's that easy?!
*I really prefer homemade stock for soup. I usually use bones from roasted chicken or turkey, or a ham bone and add big chunks of onion with skin, celery tops - the leafy part, and whole unpeeled carrots and cook it for a few hours. I strain it and throw the stock in the freezer in the Ziplock circular 4c. containers labeled for when I need a quick soup. You could totally use it from a box or a can, though and it would be fine!
Here's the link to the tutorial I used to make it: http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/2010/11/1-felt-hair-clip-tutorial-makes-great.html Here's another one I put together this morning. I was supervising the kids while they were doing schoolwork and multitasking! I thought it would be so pretty on a simple Easter dress or on a bag or even a headband for spring! I may have to plan our Easter outfits around it! The directions call for 1.5" ribbon, but I really think you could size it down and use some cute 1" grosgrain for a little girl...or even for a big girl who wanted a smaller flower :) 
