Black Bean Soup

1 lb Italian hot sausage
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped green pepper
1 T chopped garlic
1 lb bag black beans, cooked according to package
1 cup rice
2 cups tomato juice
1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
1 28 oz can diced tomatoes
1 4 oz can green chilies
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 t oregano
1 t ground cumin
extra chopped onions
cheddar cheese
hot sauce to taste

Cut hot sausage into small chunks and browned. Throw hot sausage and rest of ingredients extra extra onions and cheese into a large crockpot for 4-5 hours. May need to add extra tomato juice if it seems too dry while cooking. Serve with extra chopped onions and cheese.

Heres my version:
I use 1/2 lb. hot sausage and a 1/2 lb. hamburger and 2 big cans of black beans drained and rinsed instead of the bag of beans. I replace a can of Rotell tomatoes for tomato juice and green chilies. I also don't cook it in the crockpot either. I brown the meat in big pot, drain off the fat and throw everything thing in and cook it for about 25 or 30 minutes until the rice is cooked.

Mexican Chicken Tortilla Soup

2 1/2 c. milk
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can corn
1 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes
1 4 oz. can green chilies
1/2 c. chopped onion
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 t. dried oregano
1/2 t. ground red pepper (more=spicier)
Dash of chili powder
1 1/2 c. cooked chicken, cut up (I like rotisserie)
1 c. cheddar cheese

Cooking oil
Flour tortillas

For tortilla strips:
Heat oil in a skillet or pan
Tear the tortillas into small-ish strips
Fry in hot oil until lightly browned.
Drain on towel or paper.

For soup:
Saute onion in large saucepan. Add garlic for last minute.
Add milk and soup. Stir together until mixed well.
Add corn, tomatoes, chili peppers, oregano, ground red pepper, and chili powder.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer uncovered for 5 minutes.
Add chicken and cheese, heat and stir until cheese is melted and chicken is heated through.
Serve with crispy tortilla strips on (and in) soup.

White Chicken Chili

1 lb cubed chicken
1/2 medium onion
1/2 t garlic powder
2 cans Great Northern Beans, drained and rinsed
1 can chicken broth
1 can chopped green chilies
1 t salt
1 t oregano
1 t cumin
1/2 t pepper
1/4 t cayenne pepper
1 c sour cream
1/2 c heavy cream (may substitute evaporated milk or whole milk)

Saute chicken, onion, and garlic powder in 1 tablespoon olive oil. Salt and pepper to taste. In a a large stock pot bring beans, broth, chilies, salt, oregano, cumin, pepper, and cayenne to a boil. Let simmer 30 minutes.

Add chicken mixture, sour cream, and whipping cream. Heat through, but do not boil. Serve immediately.

I apologize for the picture, sometimes it's hard to make soup look good without covering it in cheese, but I wanted you to see what it looked like.

Bean Soup by Minnie Peters

3 quarts water
1 cup navy or soup beans
1 cup chopped celery
1 each chopped carrot
3 each cubed potato
1/4 cup diced onion
1/3 cup rice
8 each beef bullion cubes
2 cups diced canned tomatoes
2 lbs browned hamburger
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup precooked barley

Wash beans. In a large pot combine cold water and beans. bring to a full hard boil. Turn off and let sit 1 hour. Brown hamburger and drain off grease. Add all other ingredients to beans and cook over a medium heat stirring as needed till beans are done.