Summer Soups

Well, I know that summer isn't really the traditional time for soup, but there is a really good reason that I made them anyway. My (really, really awesome) mentor, Stuart, had some oral surgery and wasn't able to eat solid foods, so I wanted to help him out - so I whipped up a couple batches. 5 soups in 4 hours - not bad. So far he seems to like them all (potato is his favorite).

Potato Soup
2 carrots, diced
2 celery ribs, diced
1 large onion, diced
1 1/2 lb baking potatoes, peeled and diced (the word of the day)
1/2 cup unsalted butter
3 cups water
2 cup whole milk
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill


Broccoli Cheese Soup
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 pounds broccoli, stems and florets separated and diced
1 large onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
61/2 cups chicken stock
1 cup whipping cream
3 tablespoons all purpose flour
2 cups (packed) grated sharp cheddar cheese


Lentil Soup
1 large onion, peeled & stuck with a whole clove
1 bay leaf
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound lentils
2 carrots, diced
8 cups chicken stock
2 T butter


Corn Chowder
2 cans creamed corn
2 cups whole milk
1 1/2 cups diced potatoes
3 green onions, chopped
3 pieces country ham, chopped
Salt and pepper

Chilled Cucumber Soup

2 cups cucumber, seeded and diced
4 green onions, chopped
1 cup mayo
1 cup sour cream
Salt & pepper to taste
1T parsley, chopped
2 T fresh dill, chopped
1 cup chicken stock