January 5, 2011

chicken noodle soup

Sometimes when I post, my pictures are my subject.

Sometimes, my pictures have absolutely nothing to do with what I'm writing about.

One way or another though, I always have pictures.

But not today. I've been waiting all week for some awesome pictures to drop into my lap, but so far, it's a no go.

It's that time of year. The time of year when I struggle to find subjects. Struggle to find inspiration.

It's all good though. I'm up for the challenge. I'm just going to have to step out of my usual box and put a new spin on the way I look at things.

Stay tuned for that.

In the meantime, today is as good a day as any to share this soup recipe.

While this is actually one of my very, very favorite soup recipes ever, I should probably offer a word of warning for those of you who are morally opposed to Velveeta. Velveeta is scary. I know. But for today, we're going to embrace the Velveeta and pretend it's really not plastic's first cousin. Or plastic's half brother. Or full brother for that matter.

I won't go so far as to say that I'm a Velveeta lover, but I am also not a food snob. Far from it. In fact, it really rubbed me the wrong way when Martha trash talked Cool Whip on her show, and I think it's safe to assume that Cool Whip and Velveeta probably have a chemical composition or two in common.

But everyone knows chemicals are the cornerstone of healthy living, so it's all good.

For those of you who decide to soldier on with this recipe, the pay off will be a pot of hearty, satisfying and delicious soup that takes next to no time to make.

Ready? Let's go.

Chicken Noodle Soup

3/4 cup chopped onion, saute till tender in...
2 T butter
6 cups chicken broth or stock
2 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp garlic powder
16 oz frozen mixed vegetables - I use the mix with peas, carrots, green beans, corn and lima beans.
8 oz frozen broccoli - half of the 1 pound bag...sorry to state the obvious
8 oz dry egg noodles - ditto
2 cups milk
1 lb Velveeta, cut into chunks

Add all but the last three ingredients to a large pot. Once the soup reaches a simmer, add the noodles. Cook for five minutes, then add the milk and the pasteurized processed cheese product. Stir till the cheese is melted and you've got dinner! Easy.


So, let's hear it. Are you a Velveeta lover or a Velveeta hater. Or do you, like me, just see Velveeta as a necessary evil. It's time to come clean.

82 comments:

  1. I'm a lover of Velveeta. I don't use it often but can't help but love it when it finds it's way into a recipe. Your recipe sounds so good. Perfect on these cold days.
    xxxx

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  2. Sometimes Velveeta is the ONLY ingredient that works for a recipe, so I make the "sacrifice". Of course my husband thinks Cheeze-whiz from a can makes a perfect hors d'ouvres!

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  3. I've never used it, but this recipe sure is tempting. My little girl would love it!

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  4. I love that you said you're not a food snob! I completely agree! Can't say I love velveeta but it sure does have it's uses. I am definitely going to try this! Thanks for the recipe.

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  5. Ha ha! I think if you didn't tell me that Velveeta was in that soup, I'd eat it just fine. But knowing....that just makes me not want to eat it. It's all in my head! I'm not a food snob either- I grew up on Spam & Deviled Ham, but I am a picky eater some times!! ;-)
    Hope you are having a great week!
    ~michelle~

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  6. The photo tastes delicious. I have to go to the store to buy stuff before I can make it, though.

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  7. Necessary evil... but alas... you led me to the P.B Pie and now I have a slavish devotion to your recipes, so I'm gonna try it.

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  8. Yummy! I have been craving soup lately, can't wait to try out yours.

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  9. I have to admit, Velveeta kind of scares me. Anything that is "shelf stable" and is "dairy" kind of freaks me out....

    That said, this actually LOOKS yummy. I think I'm going to have to get over my phobia and give it a try!

    Looking forward to your upcoming posts/changes.
    Chris

    PS the "shelf" kind of bacon freaks me out too ;)

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  10. I always come away with a huge sense of great satisfaction from reading your posts (mostly because I can identify, and today was right on) and the soup recipe at the end is the greatest of all ...

    purely satisified. Looks and sounds delish.

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  11. Teresa, I think velveeta makes a yummy mac and cheese too! I've tried other ways but the velveeta makes it so creammmy! Is that bad?
    You made me hungry for soup and since I don't want to head to the grocery store, I will make Shrimp and Corn Chowder because I have those ingredients. Come over and see my recipe!! Julie

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  12. Velveeta is my friend. I'm adding this recipe to my menu for next week. It sounds delish and I've got all the ingredients on hand. Perfect!

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  13. Teresa, I think this recipe sounds oh so YUMMY! I love Velveeta in recipes in fact my fav Potato soup recipe has a lb. of the big V in it :)! Now I'm not a big fan of Lima beans so I will find an alternative. Heck, I might just leave the veggies out and add more noodles :O) Thanks for sharing this and I look forward to seeing new pics! Hugs and blessings, Nan

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  14. i buy velveeta biennially, and i'm pretty sure i'm due a brick this year. if your soup tastes even half as good as it looks, i may have to up my purchasing to an annual cycle. :)

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  15. I wrote yesterday, and I quote: "Velveeta: How can something so wrong taste so right?" I may have written it as a Tweet, but that wouldn't make much sense, since I do NOT Tweet.

    Or do I???????

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  16. I laughed out loud when you mentioned cool whip and Martha! Every time I open a container of cool whip, I think of Martha! LOL And your soup looks and sounds amazing! I too use Velveeta for Mac and Cheese. It's the best. And I also have a husband who craves cheese whiz. LOL

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  17. my daughter LOVES chicken noodle soup and always asks me to make it for her..and it's always a huge FAIL. i can't wait to make and let her try this one..it looks delicious..and what four year old doesn't love velveeta??

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  18. Now that sounds like a great chicken soup!!
    Thank you!
    So nice that you posted the photo of it!


    Deborah xo

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  19. I'm in the tasty, but clearly not good for you camp. Quite frankly, no other cheese melts so smoothly or has the right tang/zippy factor. As for preservatives/chemicals in general, I'll quote my husband: "Of course they're good for you - they'll help preserve you so you can live longer."

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  20. Sometimes only Velveeta or cream of mushroom soup can really make the recipe...I will go with necessary to comfort food evil :)

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  21. I looooooooove it~ I just wish it were fat free!

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  22. Oh yeah, I have to savor the velveeta flavor at least once year. Once I dropped my foil clad velveeta after pulling it out the box. Guess what? IT BOUNCED!

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  23. Here is what I love the most about Velveeta...I never know where to look for it in the grocery store and they never seem to know where to put it either. Is it in the dairy section with the other cheeses? Nope. Is it by the boxed Kraft Macaroni and Cheese? Nope. Is it on the chip isle with the other dip products? Nope. Is it on the cleaning isle because it shares similar ingredients with household cleaning supplies? Nope. So where is it? You ask the cute looking little stock boy and he says it's by the canned beans of course cause everyone knows that Velveeta goes best in spicy bean dip. Of course!! What was I thinking!!

    No, seriously. My husband makes the most amazing bean dip with this stuff that will make you love him and regret ever meeting him all at the same time. I'll have to share it with you some time.

    As a none animal eater I will have to forgo the pleasure of this taste treat you have served up for us today....but good luck with the search for inspiration. Can't wait to see what you find...

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  24. I love velveeta and cool whip, isn't it unamerican not to, lol....soups looks awesome. Linda

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  25. I hate Velveeta... but in some recipes, it's just a must. I do love me some cool whip. I could eat a whole tub of it myself in one sitting.

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  26. That one photo was worth waiting for. Embrace the Velveeta!

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  27. Teresa, This soup looks and sounds so yummy! I am a big fan of soup... breakfast, lunch and dinner!
    I'm sure to try this.
    Yvonne

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  28. I very seldom use Velveeta, in fact can't remember the last time I bought a brick. I do however eat American cheese slices on my sandwiches occasionally so I guess I am not a food snob either. I have also heard that with all the preservatives in food these days morticians use less embalming fluid-gross I know!

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  29. Gosh, I hate to say it, but I'm with Martha. I'm really not a food snob, but I do like my food to be made of actual, well...FOOD! Sorry.

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  30. I too chuckle about M S every time Cool Whip gets used. And nothing makes better mac n cheese than Velveeta. One of the few processed foods we grew up with. Just need to remember moderation in everything. Peggy

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  31. To me, Velveeta (velveeta? where did that name come from?) is the pleather of 'cheese foods.' Unless it's melted into some sort of dip. Then I will eat it all.

    I have also been known to eat Cool Whip right of its container.

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  32. ..right out if its container, she amended.

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  33. use velveeta a lot with cooking...good in potato soup...also like it with toast and orange juice...great combo...lol...

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  34. Raising hand here...I always have Velveeta on hand to make certain dishes more creamy, especially my baked Mac n cheese! And don't get me started on Marfa! Grrrrrr! I will just say she ain't livin in the real world and further, she doesn't seem content or happy!

    I should stop now before I write a whole essay!
    xoxo
    Joni

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  35. Martha slammed cool whip????? Gosh, that's a staple in our house...LOL! Okay, well I have to tell you, you are my angel today because I'm in a rut with my same old recipes and this is the perfect meal for me to make tonight as it's snowing and this just sounds perfect. Hey, I'm all for Velveeta. What's wrong with Martha anyway?

    xo
    LeAnn

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  36. i guess it is a necessary evil....but i only really ever use it for soup, so not too often. this looks so yummy though and i just love your little place here. i just spent way too much time going through your archives! : ) happy new year!

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  37. Gotta say, I'm nota huge Velveeta fan, except when it comes to my Mom's mac 'n' cheese. This does look tempting though...may have to try it once with the Velveeta and once without, just for comparison. :)

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  38. I think if you ever researched how this food is made you'd never, ever, call Velveeta cheese. It's not cheese, it's processed, rbgh tainted, fake dairy. Protest all you want, it's still fake, and it's still not good for you.

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  39. I think I’m actually a “lover.” I am also a cool whip “lover.” I’ll stand by my chemically processed food choices. I know it’s probably wrong but when it feels so right...

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  40. T, I swear I read the word Velveeta and my mouth started watering. Our very favorite family mac and cheese is Velveeta based.

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  41. OK, so there is NO better grilled cheese sandwich than it all toasted up with Velveeta. My mom always has it in her fridge & that's what we grew up with. Do I buy it now? Nope, but I sure would eat it again. The soup looks lovely.

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  42. I usually only have velveeta during the holidays. You know in one of those dips with sausage and a can of Rotel? It surprised me how expensive it is. Plastics must do doing well nowadays! You're too funny.

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  43. Oh, and I have to admit my inspiration in photography is out the window right now, too. I didn't think it would happen so soon. My camera is only two months old, but I haven't picked it up in a few days which is so unlike me. Must be the effects of winter.

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  44. Well the soup look fabulous...I have a similar recipe for broccoli soup with Velvetta...yum!!
    Came over to see your beautiful blog from Rhoda's Southern Hospitality. She did a wonderful post on you and your darling farm! Your sons look like an ad for Aerostaphalie!! Gorgeous sons...and I should know, I have 2 myself..ha! The farmhouse transformation is just amazing! What a lot of hard work but it is incredibly well done! I agree with Rhoda...it should be a magazine feature for sure!! Have you ever contacted say...Country Living?? You should!!!!

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  45. Velveeta scares me just a tad. I have a real issue with consistency and I can't even describe Velveeta's consistency. :)

    I found you through Southern Hospitality. Love your blog! I am now a follower!

    Living A Bona Fide Life

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  46. Hi there, Teresa! Rhoda at Southern Hospitality sent me over and I'm hooked now! I'll be making this delish soup this weekend for my crew of 5 because I agree-- Velveeta is a necessary evil, especially when you're born and raised in the South. My favorite recipes from my great-aunt Sarah all have a little Velveeta in them.
    You go, girl! Nice to meet you and I'll be back for more. :)

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  47. I'm visiting from Southern Hospitality today! All I can say is wow! I love your photos, and your home is beautiful! But I must say, I am completely jealous of your beautiful gardens! I dream of having flowers like that around my house! I am definitely becoming your newest follower!

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  48. Just stumbled across your blog from Rhoda over at Southern Hospitality and sure am I glad I did! The soup looks deeeelicious, can't wait to try it out with the kids this weekend. And any american who doesn't think velveeta is a necessary evil, obviously is a sorry excuse for an American. Its the staple ingredient to all appetizers and we all know americans are suckers for allllll appetizers!

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  49. Hi Teresa!
    I just found out about your lovely blog through Rhoda over at southernhospitalityblog.com

    Love the photos of your home transformation :)

    As for Velveeta, well, yeah I consider it plastic cheese. But, I will tell you that there's 1 thing I make that my husband and I love. Matter of fact, I blogged it today -
    inspired by your post.

    I must try your soup soon, it sounds delicious.

    Here's the recipe. Cat Puke. (Yeah, it needs a new name *grin*)

    http://www.cookingatcafed.com/2011/01/i-love-eating-cat-puke-with-recipe.html

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  50. That looks ridiculously GOOD! OMG I have to try it, especially on a day like today, when its snowing in NY! Perfect soup day...love your blog, your pictures and your story. Please take a look at my new blog, we are building our dream house and I started a blog to talk about it as well as share my dreams about all things having to do with interior design, a great life and beautiful things!

    www.theenchantedhome.blogspot.com

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  51. Whatever it is, it makes the best mac n cheese!
    Beautiful blog and amazing photos. I'm so glad Rhoda sent us over!

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  52. And by the way I have to say there are certain dishes where veleeta is just amazing!

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  53. Dropping by from Rhoda's blog. Had to tell you that your photos are amazing. I'll be poking around in your photography labeled posts later today. You can't go wrong with Velveeta. My Mom used to make Velveeta and Spam sandwiches. What a combo!

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  54. man! i was in the process of weeding out blogs i don't read when i stumbled upon yours via...i don't even remember via who...anyway your house remodel is my dream. how could you not be ecstatic every morning wakin gup in such a happy place. and not just that. you have such beautiful land, and a greenhouse, and a pond and a barn. i could go on and on. so thank you for having such a beautiful place to live so i have another excuse to sit in front of the computer and dream :O)

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  55. I love cheese! I don't buy velveeta though. Unless I'm making a mac & cheese with more than one cheese.

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  56. I have no opposition to these foods. Women (not me, I have asthma) spray hair spray on their hair and use cosmetics. We breathe the air that has who knows what in it. I'm certainly not going to pick on poor little Velveeta! Sounds great to me!
    Brenda

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  57. I am not a Velveeta lover, I never have liked it, so I have never bought it. I LOVE real Cheddar cheese and that is all I buy, but Cheddar cheese cut into chunks would be wonderful in your soup recipe. I may try it, it sounds very yummy!
    Oh and I need to tell you that Rhoda sent me over here. I am going to check out your home photos, from what I saw on Rhoda's blog it is GORGEOUS!!!
    Hugs, Cindy

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  58. Hello so nice to meet you I came via Rhoda...

    Your receipe sounds amazing...as for velveeta I have not had it in years...I don't buy it. I do buy Cool whip though :)

    Beautiful blog....I will be back...

    All the best,
    Kathy :)
    jokaj@comcast.net

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  59. ...goodness gracious...what on earth do you do with rotelle tomatoes and green chillies if you don't mix and melt it with velveeta...and then what do you do with all those leftover and lonely fritos...

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  60. Dropping by to say hello by way of Rhoda over at Southern Hospitality. You have a lovely blog & your home is just as cozy as can be! I love it! I will surely drop by again for a visit!

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  61. Velveeta is a must in Mac & Cheese as well as the Rotel dip. Those are the only reasons I buy it...but in reality, we (my age group) grew up with it. :-) I guess we haven't had any permanent damage from it. Nor from Cool Whip! Martha has some great ideas but I really do not like her.

    Your blog is great and your photography skills are amazing! Love the photos of your son & his girlfriend...very unique. I am a new follower so look forward to seeing more on your blog. Stop by and say hi when you can ~

    Pat

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  62. My daughter came home from school with a recipe for mac 'n cheese that they'd made in "cooking" class. Yup, velveeta. And, it was delicious.

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  63. Three cheers for Velveeta! This might just make a chicken soup lover out of me yet! I tend to turn my nose up when I think of it - but this is a really unique recipe! Thanks dear!

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  64. How funny - I haven't thought of velveeta for years! I grew up with it and can still remember the taste. It is so not something I would buy as an adult, and yet, I am tempted to do it - just once - for my boys, OF COURSE...
    Have a marvelous weekend my friend,
    xx

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  65. I just stumbled upon your blog! You are adorable! I've loved having coffee and visiting Meadowbrook Farm this morning! I'll be back!!

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  66. I too just came across your blog. It is very inspiring and a place I plan to visit often. After checking out The Meadowbrook Farm Kitchen, I am hooked. I am in love with the recipe for Peanut Butter Pie. Sounds devine! Just wnated to say, hello and great job on such a fun, inpirational blog!

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  67. Found your fun blog today as a link from Southern Hospitality. I've got some Velveeta in my fridge left over from the holidays (we always have cheesy green beans) so I'll have to make your yummy soup this week. Love your farmhouse!

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  68. I too watched the episode of Martha where she trashed Cool Whip! It's not my favorite topping in the universe -- I'd always rather have real whipped cream -- but seriously -- plenty of people enjoy it, eat it, and you don't have to be so snobby about it, Martha!

    Anyway. That bugged me too.

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  69. Velveeta is my friend, as is her sister, Cheese Whiz. I have a great broc/cheese recipe with Cheese Whiz. This chicken soup is a fav at our house. Great minds think alike. Food snob, nah. Full of toxic chemicals, yah. ;)

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  70. Hi,,,I'm new to your blog via Rhoda from Southern Hosptality,,,love your blog and LOVE the Chicken Noodle Soup,,,tried it today and it was wonderful,,,my family loved it,,,thanks so much!!!

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  71. I popped over from Rhoda's at Southern Hospitality and I am so glad I did. Now, I can't wait to get lost in more of your lovely blog! Happy New Year and yes, it is a Chicken Soup kind of day!!!

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  72. I am a definite lover of velveeta and I have to say normally I can pass on chicken noodle soup....but that looks delicious! I will be making me a pot of that:) Thanks for sharing!!!! Love your blog ...life on Meadow Brook Farm looks dreamy!

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  73. Thankyou for your loveley post about my garden ,I really love my trees and they make the house seem so much cooler, Iwould love to make this soup too but we don't have vevleeta ,but from the colourful descriptions here, I wonder if it might be the same as our Kraft Cheddar Cheese it comes in a box in the grocery aisle(no where near the fridge) right near the vegemite ,it's has quite a rubbery consistency but we all grew up eating it on crackers ,so I might try this ,but when the weather cools down!
    ~Sharon~

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  74. Thank you for your wonderful comment on my mother's ring post!! So glad to meet you!!
    ~And that being said....Velvetta can make a recipe...I have 3 that just don't get it with out that little cheesy help! Thanks for a new one that looks just delicious!!!

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  75. I'm so going to have to share this recipe on my blog. I'll be sure to tell everyone where I found it of course...but this is just AWESOME!! I happen to seriously (heart) velvetta! I was raised on it, ha! I cannot wait to give this a try! Thank you for sharing this recipe!!!
    Terrell @ Frou Frou Decor

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  76. This looks amazing. I'm definitely making this the very next time I get into a kitchen!

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  77. I *heart* Velveeta. My husband thinks Velveeta should be considered a food group.

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  78. Shared this recipe with my hubby, when he said he wanted to make soup tonight. He wanted me to let you know that he is in L O V E with this soup, and wanted me to thank you personally for sharing it. LOL. Hope you are well, T!

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  79. I know this post is a little late, but I just got around to reading it. Velveeta is creamy and melts like a dream, but it is not cheese. I have started making my own cheeses(Mozz.,ricotta,cream.and cheddar0 just so I don't have all the preservatives. Check out chikens in the road blog. Suzanne has a recipe for Velveeta that I think I will have to try now that I have your recipe for that wonderful soup

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