Canned soup has nothing on these two homemade versions that are quick to warm up cold winter nights.

BLT Soup

1 pound bacon, diced

1/2 stick margarine

1 1/2 pounds lettuce, chopped

2 1/2 cups flour

3 1/2 quarts hot water

3 tablespoons chicken base

2 tablespoons ham base

1 pound tomatoes, diced

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1 quart half and half

Cook bacon in skillet with margarine; add lettuce and saute 2 minutes. Stir in flour until cooked. Remove from heat and add all remaining ingredients except half and half. Return to heat and gently boil for 6 minutes. Add half and half and heat to simmering, stirring frequently.

Makes 1 1/2 gallons of soup.

Shirley E. Russell,
Aurora