Cheese Soup and Breadsticks, Awards!

We've had a little blast of colder weather in the Smokies this past weekend. Just another excuse for me to make soup. Even though it's Spring, I still love soup.

This is a basic cheese soup that I've tweaked it beyond recognition, except that there's cheese in it. The calories and sodium have been lightened up considerably. Despite removing all the fun stuff, the replacements are packed full of flavor and guess what? This soup can be ready in under one hour!

I borrowed the bread stick recipe from Priscilla at Priscilla Bakes. I tweaked this just a tad too. The bread sticks were the perfect partner for the cheese soup. The homegirlz were filling up on breadsticks and dough.

Chop one medium onion, 2 carrots and 2 stalks of celery. Melt 1 tablespoon of margarine or lowfat margarine in a stock pot over medium heat. Saute the onions, carrots and celery for about 5 minutes. Blend in 1 tablespoon of flour with the veggies and cook for one minute. Be careful because depending on your pot, the veggies will start sticking when you add the flour, add in a dash of nutmeg, a dash of paprika, 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard and 1/4 teaspoon of white and black pepper.

Stir in one 12 oz. can of skim evaporated milk and 2-1/2 cups of 1% milk. Add in 2 low sodium beef boullion cubes, 2 cups of water and about 3/4 of a cup to 1 cup of frozen green beans or broccoli. Let soup simmer for 30 minutes; don't let it boil. Stir in one 8 ounce package of light velveeta cheese, cubed. Simmer soup until cheese has melted and serve.

Bread Sticks -


2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast
1/2 cup Sugar, divided
2 cups warm water (110° to 115°), divided
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 egg
1 teaspoon salt
4-1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cornmeal
1/4 cup olive oil
2 cloves of garlic smashed.


In a large bowl, dissolve yeast and 1 tablespoon sugar in 1 cup warm water. Add the oil, egg, salt, 2 cups flour, and remaining sugar and water. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.

Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 40 minutes.

Pour 1/4 cup of olive oil into a small sauce pan. Turn heat on lowest setting. Place 2 cloves of smashed garlic into pan and let them hang out for about 30 minutes so the garlic can infuse the olive oil.

Punch the dough down. Turn onto a floured surface; divide into 24 pieces. Shape each piece into a 6-in. rope. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets, sprinkled with cornmeal. Lightly brush garlic infused olive oil each bread stick. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 25 minutes. Bake at 350° for 10 to 15 minutes or until slightly brown. Makes about 3 dozen breadsticks.


Ok, I guess this is an oxy-moron, low cal soup and bread sticks. I promise you this, as long as I was feeding the homegirlz baked goods, they were walking the dog, folding laundry, setting the table...


Kaylee from Not Another Omnivore gave me The Adorable Blog Award. It is my honor to pass this award on to 5 of my fellow bloggers. It is very hard for me to pick only 5 bloggers there are too many adorable blogs!




1. Priscilla from Priscilla Bakes
2. JenJen from Tater Tots and Jello
3. Debbie form Suburb Sanity
4. Sam from My Carolina Kitchen
5. Selba from Selby's Food Corner


I received the Sisterhood Award from Sam at My carolina Kitchen and from Selby from Selby's Food Corner. In keeping with the tradition of passing this award forward, here are the rules. The Sisterhood Award is an award from bloggers to bloggers in recognition of a blog spot which shows attitude and/or gratitude.




1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate up to 10 blogs which show great attitude and/or gratitude
3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog, or sending them an email.
5. Remember to link to the person from whom you received your award.

1. The Blond Duck from A Duck in Her Pond
2. Kaylee from Not Another Omnivore
3. Gigi from Afterthoughts
4. Reeni from Cinnamon Spice and Everything Nice
5. Marjie from Modern Day Ozzie and Harriet
6. Tamilyn from Butter My Kitchen
7. Cathy from The Tortefeaser
8. Natasha from 5 Star Foodie
9. Donna from My Tasty Treasures
10. Debbie from Mocha Me

This is my gift to you for taking the time to visit my kitchen and leave your comments. Enjoy the Sisterhood Award, post it on your blog and pass it on to your blogger friends.