I am sitting here tonight, surrounded by kids who have basically been on three days of extreme sugar highs, and I am reminded of why I do not love Halloween. I was a fan when I was a kid, and I do love my own share of candy and kiddos in cute costumes, but the constant begging for candy, the hyperness and overall chaos of Halloween makes me long for the day to pass by quickly so we can move on to the other holidays I love.
Am I a fuddy duddy these days or what? There is one newer tradition that I do look forward to each year, and that is our annual Halloween soup supper and candy distribution bash. A group of neighbor friends and their kids all come down to our house and everyone brings a pot of soup. Then, after dinner and the obligatory kids posing for pictures, we line up our buckets of candy in the driveway to hand out. One lucky group gets to stay behind by the warm fire pit and pass out candy to visiting trick-or treaters while the other group takes the kids trick-or-treating. It is a great evening of good food and fun!
I always try to experiment with a new to me soup recipe for this occasion. Last year it was what became my favorite soup, Zippy Chicken and Mushroom Soup. This year, I tried the much raved about Cheeseburger Soup… a recipe from the kitchen of my friend Jo Ann Emerson and passed on to me from Kelly’s teacher at Parent Teacher Conferences. Cheeseburger Soup has definitely tied with the Zippy Chicken and Mushroom Soup as favorites. It is a hearty soup, obviously not light, but worth every cheese induced calorie!
Now that I have our annual Halloween bash to look forward to, and new soup recipe finds to anticipate, I can probably get through Halloween with out having to dress up as Scrooge to fit my attitude.
Cheeseburger Soup from the kitchen of Jo Ann Emerson
1/2 pound ground beef
3/4 c chopped onion
3/4 c shredded carrots
3/4 c diced celery
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
5 Tablespoons butter, divided
2 cans chicken broth
4 cups peeled, diced potatoes (I used unpeeled red potatoes)
1/4 cup flour
2 cups (8oz) Velveeta, cubed
1 1/2 cup milk
3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup sour cream
In a 6-quart saucepan, brown beef; drain and set aside beef. In the same saucepan, sate onion, carrots, celery, basil and parsley in 2 Tablespoons butter until vegetables are tender (about 10 minutes). Add broth, potatoes and beef; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Meanwhile, in a small pan, melt remaining 3 Tablespoons of butter. Add flour; cook and stir for 3 minutes or until bubbly. Whisk into soup; bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low. Add Velveeta, milk, salt and pepper. Cook and stir until cheese melts. Remove from heat; stir in sour cream. Makes 8 servings.
For other delicious soup recipes, check out these blogs:
- Crockpot Tortilla Soup by Stephanie at A Year of Slow Cooking
- The Best French Onion Soup Ever! by Cookography
- Roasted Tomato and Basil Soup by For the Love of Cooking
- Oktoberfest Beer Onion Soup with Blue Cheese from Hugging the Coast
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This does look yum. We had a soup night too – wish we would’ve had some of this!
Amy J´s last blog ..Basic Baked Eggs
Doesn’t it make you wonder who
came up with the crazy idea of going house to house and asking for candy?
Wow! My family is the only people I know of that makes Cheeseburger Soup! I was so surprised to see it featured on a blog. It looks to be the exact same recipe. How funny!
Melissa´s last blog ..Popcorn Balls-Happy Halloween
I love a hearty bowl of soup! This is one I’ve seen the recipe for before, but never tried it. I’m already sick of the candy, but we did have fun last night. We just went down 2 streets and then came home and Logan helped me pass the candy out. I think he had more fun passing it out than he did trick or treating.
Katie @ goodLife {eats}´s last blog ..Baking with Whole Grains {Nutrimill Review}
Yum! This looks delicious. I made beef stew and we had family over (we have the better neighborhood for trick-or-treating). After making costumes, cooking dinner and rounding the neighborhood I was ready to drop!
This really sounds good! Hopefully, the worst is over and the sugar will be out of the kids’ systems in a few days. At least we have Thanksgiving and Christmas to look forward to.
This looks awesome. The soup and the bowl both. Thanks for the recipe!
Kate at Serendipity´s last blog ..CESTINI DI SALMONE
Your Hallowe’en traditions sound like a lot of fun when everyone is involved. Soup would send those little ones out in the cold with warm tummies and warm hearts.
Not only does the cheeseburger soup look delicious, but served in that cool bowl really shows the soup off.
Lynne´s last blog ..Cherry-Fudge Brownie Torte
I’ve made this very soup recipe often and it is much loved in my house. We (my daughter and I) call it the heart attack in a stock pot dinner when we’re in private (as I am gobbling down a bowl with crusty bread and she’s sacrificing for the sake of her hips). I’ve made a little change though. Definitely takes it from wonderful to sublime. I slightly reduce the amount of velveeta and substitute lots of grated Havarti. The Havarti gives it SUCH a wonderful creamy flavor…to die for!
Robin´s last blog ..Hatter’s Up!
You’re killin’ me here Girl! That just looks delectable.
Jules @ EM´s last blog ..The Lord’s Day
Ha! Our little man is too young for the candy nagging (he seemed too young for everything this year, bah humbug!), but I can see that getting old quick. You’ve found a fun way to entertain yourself during the festivities! Thanks for sharing your idea.
such a fun family tradition!
my boy is too young to do trick-or-treat, we still dressed him and hanged out with neighborhood though, just to entertain ourselves apparently!
your soup looks so delicious! btw, i love the bowl too!
lululu´s last blog ..To Ethan (This is how you make the world rotate your way)
Been bumping into Cheeseburger Soup recipes all week. Gonna half to give this dish a try soon.
TheRoosterChick´s last blog ..Barbecue Turkey Sloppy Joes
OMG! I had never heard of cheeseburger soup! And I love cheeseburgers! lol… That name alone makes we want to make it straight away…
You should move to Holland…. we have no trouble with Halloween parties. It’s simply not celebrated! Although we do have St. Maarten on November 11th which does involve kids coming by and asking for candy. A bit similar in that respect!
Simone (junglefrog)´s last blog ..Peuterfonds foundation
What a wonderful Halloween tradition you guys have going on!
Deanna´s last blog ..Pumpkin Cupcakes and Some Exciting News
Okay, you had me till the Velveeta! I’m a dietitian. What can I say?! I love Halloween but I’m also glad it’s behind us. Just not sure what to do with the 160 pieces of candy my 11-year old collected. Hopefully, he’ll tire of it soon! Can’t wait for Thanksgiving …
Liz´s last blog ..“Green” Lifestyle Ideas, and KIWI Magazine Winner
What a fun Halloween tradition! Your kids must have looked adorable, can’t wait to see pictures of their costumes
maris´s last blog ..How to Get Rid of Your Leftover Halloween Candy: Chocolate Candy Bark
First I have to say that I LOVE that bowl!
I also sit out in the driveway with my firepit roaring away to hand out candy! My kids are all finally old enough that I haven’t had to go with them the past two years. Love the idea of the soup tradition, I can see why you would look so forward to it!
Amanda´s last blog ..TWD: All in One Holiday Bundt Cake
Great tradition idea with soup, I may have to “borrow” that one.
Your soup looks delicious-perfect for a chilly winter evening! Thanks!
Christy´s last blog ..Happy Birthday!
Thanks looks amazing!
The soup looks so yummy – perfect comfort food for a cool evening! I’m still in love with Halloween (in spite of the sugar highs)… and after throwing our first Halloween party this year, love it even more! I think I found a way to enjoy it like I’m still a kid.
patsyk´s last blog ..Chocolate Pumpkin Muffins
Heh, I’m not a Halloween fan either. Haven’t been since I was like 12. The soup looks great, love the concept.
Bob´s last blog ..Barbecue Chicken Calzone
soup is my favorite dinner!! Simply delicious and comforting!
nora@ffr´s last blog ..Apple with raspberry smoothie
This soup sounds so yummy!
Karly´s last blog ..Hot and Melty Oven Baked Ham and Swiss Sandwiches
My future-mom-in-law just introduced hamburger soup to me. What a breeze it is to throw together and so hearty. This Cheeseburger Soup is even more tempting and perfect for fall.
Jennifer´s last blog ..moonlighting
I made this soup last night – it was so…oo good! I am definitely adding this to our rotation!:o) Thanks for sharing!
This sounds yummy! I’ll have to try it along with the chicken and mushroom soup.
Mrs. L´s last blog ..Small Plates – November 3, 2009
What a beautiful picture of the soup! Soup can be difficult to photograph and yours looks amazing!
Barbara Bakes´s last blog ..Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread
What a fun tradition! I am such a tradition junkie. Our Halloween one is what we go trick or treating and then get Chinese food. Once the kids and I are in bed, we watch a scary movie … this year it was The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
Sarah Caron´s last blog ..Roasted Pumpkin Seeds Recipe
What a fun tradition. And the soup sounds amazing!
Deborah´s last blog ..Cookbook of the Month Recipe – Sweet and Sour Chicken
Really rich and hearty looking soup! Love the look of these soup, sound delicious, a lovely healthier alternative and what a fun Halloween tradition!
Love it! We are more into Halloween than maybe any other holiday… well, okay, we just love holidays;). Our tradition has been to watch Harry Potter, and throw parties with awesome scary cocktails. My fave is Mummy Juice (I know you will appreciate the pun); I adore this cockail, it includes golden rum, fresh OJ, Ginger simple syrup and a splash of soda… beautiful pics!
Mmm, love Cheeseburger Soups. It’s one of our favorites from years back … and the perfect thing to take the chill of a Fall night. Yum!
Cate O’Malley´s last blog ..In Pursuit of Cows
Now that’s a recipe name that will get the kids’ attention! How fun and delicious, Kristin. I love it!
susan from food blogga´s last blog ..Celebrating San Diego Beer Week by Cooking with Beer!
Such a good idea, and this soup looks (& sounds) wonderful. So tasty for a cool, fall night!
Sandie (Inn Cuisine)´s last blog ..Drop In & Decorate This Holiday Season!
This looks amazing! my husband is a huge meat eater so he would love this twist.
This sounds delicious. I’m a huge fan of soups this time of year when the weather gets chilly. A big bowl of soup and a good slice of sourdough – YUM.