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Monday, September 28, 2009

Loaded Baked Potato Soup


This was such a great soup! I got the recipe from Sister's Cafe.

12 oz Applewood smoked bacon
4 stalks celery finely diced
2 large carrots, peeled, finely diced
1 jalapeno, seeded, membrane removed and finely chopped
1 large onion, finely chopped
½ Cup red bell pepper, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup thinly sliced ham or Canadian bacon (or mini cubed ham)
32 oz chicken broth (or water & bouillon)
6 oz half and half (I used whole milk)
8-10 sm./med. potatoes, baked, peeled and mashed
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
½ Cup milk
4 oz sour cream
1 ½ Cups shredded cheddar cheese

Garnish
½ Cup sour cream
1 Cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 Cup thinly sliced green onion (green part)

1. Heat large dutch oven over medium heat. Cut bacon into pieces and cook until browned and crisp. Transfer bacon to a paper towel lined plate. Discard bacon grease, reserving 2 Tablespoons to sauté veggis. Saute celery, carrots, jalapeno, onion and bell pepper in bacon grease for 10 minutes, stirring often until softened. Stir in garlic and ham; cook for 3 more minutes. Stir in chicken broth and half and half.
2. Place mashed potatoes in a stand or electric mixer. Mix on medium speed adding salt, pepper and milk. Stir mashed potatoes into soup until combined. Heat for 10 minutes.
3. Stir in sour cream and cheese until smooth. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste. Simmer on low until ready to serve. Top with sour cream, bacon, cheese and green onion.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

French Bread


I got this recipe from my sister in law Kassi. It is really delicious and only has to rise once. We made the dough into rounds and then sprinkled on parmesan cheese as an added bonus. Scrumptious!

FRENCH BREAD

3 Tablespoon yeast
4 cups warm water
4 Tablespoon sugar
½ cup vegetable oil (can use ¼ cup)
5 tsp. salt
8-10 cups flour

Knead all ingredients together in electric bread mixer for about 5 minutes. Let rest about 5 minutes. Divide into four loaves and put on greased or cornmeal sprinkled baking sheet. Make diagonal knife slices on top. Brush tops with 1 beaten egg mixed with 1 Tablespoon water. Let rise 30 minutes. Bake at 425 degrees for 10 minutes and then at 375 degrees for 10 minutes. Can make into hamburger buns or round loaves. Makes about 6 round loaves.