Recipes by Arlene

A little dill weed on top adds a special touch.

• 10¾-oz. can asparagus soup
• 10¾-oz. can mushroom soup
• 1 can crab meat or 1 package frozen crab meat
• 1½ cups milk
• 1 cup half-and-half
• ⅛ cup sherry

Drain can of crab meat and refresh with a small amount of lemon juice. Combine all ingredients and simmer until hot. Serve four.

• 2 cups diced potato
• ½ cup chopped onion
• ½ cup chopped celery
• ¼ tsp. salt
• 1 cup water
• 1 can condensed Manhattan-style clam chowder
• 1 7½-oz. can minced clams, drained
• 3 tbsps. dry white wine
• ½ cup whipping cream
• 2 tbsps. snipped parsley

In large saucepan, combine first five ingredients. Cook, covered, until potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes; mash slightly. add chowder, milk, clams and wine. Heat, but do not boil. Stir whipped cream into chowder. season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with parsley. Makes 4 servings.

Optional: you can also add homemade buttered croutons or 1 tsp. steak sauce.

Add a few ingredients to a potato mix and, in 30 minutes, serve a hearty soup.

• 4 cups water
• 1 cup shredded cabbage
• 1 cup finely chopped Canadian bacon (4½ oz.)
• 2 large carrots, thinly sliced (1½ cups)
• 1 5.25- to 5.5-oz. package dry au  gratin potato mix
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tsp. cornstarch
• 1 cup frozen cut green beans

In a 4-quart Dutch oven, combine the water, cabbage, Canadian bacon, carrots and the dry potato mix. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 15 minutes. Combine the milk and cornstarch; add to soup along with frozen beans. Simmer, covered, for 10 to 15 minutes more or until beans are tender. Makes 4 to 6 main-dish servings.