OK – so I don’t know about you, but I spend a lot of time on Pinterest.  Facebook who?

I have been virtually organizing away for a month or so – but never actually tried anything.  Boy do I feel crafty, resourceful, clever, and just all around Martha Stewarty…….

So anyway – I finally decided to actually make something in real life.  I want it to be clear I only made a version of this recipe – I did not create it – but it was so good, inexpensive, and easy!  I chose this…….. 365 days of slow cooking ~ Tomato Basil Parmesan Soup

I did attempt to make it a little healthier – and when I make it again I will actually omit a few more of the not so healthy ingredients – even with my lower fat and higher veggie content – it still was CRAZY rich!  Super good, but dangerous……

So I wanted to share my inspiration- why I chose it and what I changed.  I was hanging on Pinterest on a gloomy, rainy day – so I was looking for something warm and delicious.  I was also looking for something inexpensive and easy.  And then – as always with Pinterest – it appeared!

I had made my shopping plan for Target earlier that day – several cool deals – including a coupon stacking strategy for canned tomatoes – you can see this deal (and more) on Money Saving Mom.  I purchased everything I used at Target or I already had it from (get this) the 99 cent store.

This is my modified recipe………….

One large can of basil tomatoes (random – but I got this at the 99 cents store)

one 14oz can of basil & oregano diced tomatoes

one 14oz can of chicken stock

2 cups of diced celery

1 cup diced carrots (I would have put in more but we were lower on carrots than I thought)

One large onion finely diced

dried oregano & basil & a couple bay leaves (as always – I just let my kids shake into the crock pot – I couldn’t tell you how much)

This was more veggies than the original recipe – next time I will probably put another can of tomatoes and another can of chicken stock too.  I think the extra veggies was a great add.  I’m actually considering adding zucchini next time (mmmmm)

- Step one – put these items in the crock pot on low for 5 hours

At about 5 hours I made a very easy roux – just butter and flour – I used one stick of butter and one cup of whole wheat flour – if I was to do it again I would use half of each.  It was just too buttery for us.  Cook in a pan on low and wisk for a few minutes.  Then add in a cup of the soup from the crock pot.  Wisk a few more cups of the soup in until the roux is no longer lumpy.  This takes five minutes or so – then I dumped it all back into the crock pot.

Add in two cups of warmed half & half right into the crock pot (I used fat free half & half and it was still very rich)

Add in one cup of Parmesan cheese – I used 100% Parmesan – but it was the Target brand shaker – next time I will use fresh Parmesan and I will only use 1/2 a cup.   It was just too cheesy (WHAT?! yeah – I said it – too buttery & too cheesy)

Keep it all cooking on low for another half hour.

Serve – expect yummy noises.

I had mine with brown rice on the side.  The kids and daddy had it with a piece of Nature’s Own Bread (also purchased at the 99 cents store – judge if you will – I love me the 99 cents store – no, it is not expired or anywhere near expired)

Our family of four enjoyed this yummy soup – EVERYONE had seconds and we have enough for lunch tomorrow!  The entire pot cost about $5! (remember I used coupons and the 99 cents store!)  I plan on trying it again with a few more veggies and a little less butter and cheese.  I also think it would freeze really well.  I plan on making some and freezing for Mr. Deals & Steals to take to work.

I don’t know about you – but I really struggle with getting a decent dinner on the table.  This wasn’t fancy by any means, but it was SO good!  This is really easy, inexpensive, and it was such a cozy dinner for a chilly night!

And if I can make it with three squawky kids – anyone can!

*This freezes and unfreezes amazingly!  Check out our other EASY RECIPES too!

Enjoy ~ Kate