Easy Cream Cheese Zucchini Soup

I found this recipe in my LDS living magazine.  I thought why not try it since I have quite a few zucchini.  It was super simple and has really good flavor.  You taste the onion soup mix the most, but are getting lots of zucchini without really knowing it!  A good way to eat your veggies!  I will admit that I didn't give this to my kids, but want them to try it!  The magazine stated that it would be a favorite with kids!  You can't really taste the zucchini, so why not give it a try with your kids and some good french bread!

Easy Cream Cheese Zucchini Soup

(LDS Living magazine July/August 2011)

• 4 cups sliced zucchini
• 5 cups water
• 1 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese
• 1 envelope of onion soup or vegetable soup mix

Cook zucchini in the water until zucchini is tender. 

The directions say to pour into blender.  It didn't specify to put the water in the blender with the zucchini or not.  I drained the water and only added the zucchini.  Mainly because my blender was not big enough to hold both the zucchini and all the water.  If you try keeping the water, let me know how it turns out!

Add the cream cheese and the soup mix.  Blend in blender until smooth.  Once smooth, return to the pot and heat through.

Enjoy!

The Best Easy Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry

I have a recipe I have liked for Beef Broccoli, but it was a little more complicated and had some different ingredients than what I have on hand.  So I did a little Internet search and found this one on allrecipes.com.  It had rave reviews!!!  So I tried it and my family loved it!!

Did I say loved it???  Yes and I have had it for lunch this past week and still love it!!

The Best Easy Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry

(www.allrecipes.com)

• 3 tbsp cornstarch
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 lb top sirloin steak, cut into thin slices
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil or sesame oil
• 4 cups broccoli florets
• 1 small onion, cut into wedges
• 1/3 cup soy sauce
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• sliced up peppers if desired
• hot cooked rice

In a bowl, combine 2 tbsp cornstarch, 2 tbsp water and garlic powder.  Stir until smooth.  Add beef and toss to coat.

In a large skillet or wok, over medium-high heat, stir-fry beef in 1 tbsp oil until beef reaches desired doneness; remove and keep warm.  It was recommended to use sesame oil, which is what I did.

Stir-fry broccoli and onion (and peppers if adding) in remaining oil for 4-5 minutes.  I added more sesame oil to this.

Return beef to pan when veggies are done.

Combine soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger and 1 tbsp corn starch and water.  Mix until smooth.  Add to pan.

Cook and stir for about 2 minutes.  Serve over rice and enjoy!!