Asparagus Bacon Chowder

Part of having a survival mindset is figuring out how to use what you have on-hand at right that moment.
Here in Iowa we've been experiencing some weird weather.  Hot when it's supposed to be cold, cold when it's supposed to be hot.  This past week we had a cold snap of 40ºF during the day...brrrrrr  I was in the mood for some nice warm soup and I didn't want to make a trip into the grocery store.  After scrounging through my pantry, this is the result.

Asparagus Bacon Chowder

1# Fresh Asparagus (out of our garden that day)
6-8 cups Water (enough to cover asparagus & rehydrated potatoes)
1 TBSP. Chicken base paste
6 green onions (again, out of the garden) could use dehydrated
1 cup Potato dices-dehydrated
1 tsp. Mrs. Dash-regular

1 can PET evaporated Milk
1 heaping TBSP. Bacon TVP bits-dehydrated

1 cup shredded white cheese. 
Pepper to taste
Salt to taste.  (sample before adding, there is salt in the Chicken base)

In a large sauce pan add the water, chicken base & dehydrated Potato.   Let sit for 10-15 minutes to reconstitute the potatoes.  Meanwhile, cut the asparagus into 2 inch pieces.  Dice up the onions. Add veggies to the saucepan,(may add more water to cover) then bring to a boil. Lower to a simmer and cook until the potatoes are done.  Add the spices, bacon, cheese and can of milk.  Gently heat through until the cheese melts.. Do NOT let the soup come back to a boil.  

Serve with a slice of homemade Sourdough bread.....

Survive the Flu Chicken Noodle Soup

uggghhh It's that time of year again..Flu Season. Yes, it got me! Yesterday I felt like death warmed over or, something a truck decided to squish. No way was I going to do any major cooking.. Luckily, I have a very well stocked pantry, so Pantry Chicken Noodle Soup came to the rescue. Yes, I know this isn't as good as the boil a chicken, make the broth & noodles type. But, in a pinch, it turned out down right tasty.

In a large 4 qt saucepan bring about 2 qts water to a boil.
To that add:
2 cubed potatoes
2 med carrots (peeled & diced)
1 stalk celery~diced (I used dried)
1 TBSP. Dried Onion
1/4 tsp. Dried Garlic
1 TBSP Dried Chives
Pepper to taste
(If you have dried veggies, this is a great way to use them)
Boil for about 5 minutes.
Then Add:
1/2 package of Kluski noodles or whatever type floats your boat!
1 (12.5 oz) pkg. Canned Chicken (Add broth and all)
1 (32 oz.) pkg Chicken broth (or broth base equivalent)
Simmer for another 5 minutes or so until the noodles are done.

You can just boil the veggies and noodles in the broth. But, I'm trying to cut down on salt and wanted more liquid in the soup. Therefore the added water in the beginning.