Baked Potato Soup

Courtesy of Our Best Bites

2 T butter
2-3 cloves minced garlic
1/2 c. flour
1 1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. black pepper
8 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
4 1/2 c. milk
1 (14oz) chicken broth
4 med baking potatoes (baked----375* for 60 minutes)
2 c. grated cheddar cheese
1 1/2 c. light sour cream
1/2 c. chopped green onions

Melt butter in stock pot over medium heat. Add garlic and saute 30-60 seconds. Add flour. Slowly add in milk while whisking constantly. Whisk until smooth. Add chicken broth. Bring to a simmer and heat until thick--about 5 minutes. Once the soup is thickened turn heat to med-low. Cut potatoes in half and use spoon to scoop out potato flesh into the pot. Use a wooden spoon to smash potatoes, breaking up the large clumps. Add 1 1/2 c. cheese and salt and pepper. Stir until the cheese is melted. Remove pan from heat and stir in 3/4 c. sour cream, 1/4 c. green onions and 4 pieces of crumbled bacon. Add additional S & P to taste. Top with remaining onion, cheese, bacon and sour cream.

Cheese Soup

I just have to start out by saying.. this is my absolute favorite soup in the entire world. No really. Since I was a little girl its always been my favorite. I always double the recipe so I can have leftovers that last me an entire week. However, now that I'm married... I am lucky if the soup lasts until lunch the next day :) If I had a bigger pot it would be tripled. We compete for the fridge over it. Its to die for.

2 c. boiling water
2 c. pealed and shredded potatoes
1/2 c carrot slices
1/2 c sliced celery
1 c. ham diced
1/4 c margarine
1/4 c flour
2 c. milk
2 c. shredded cheddar cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Combine water, vegetables, ham and seasonings. Cover and simmer until vegetables are tender. Add margarine. Mix in a bowl 1/4 c flour and 1/2 c. milk until smooth. Add the remainder of the milk and pour into the vegetable mix. Stir until thick. Add cheese. Don't boil, just stir until melted. Serve. (Always is really hot, but just throw in an ice cube into your bowl and you're good to go!) can also garnish the top with green onions and bacon bits.

Ranch Potatoes

Potatoes
Powder Ranch Packet
Olive Oil

The specifications for these just depend entirely on how much you want to make! Slice the potatoes into little chunks. Put them into a large ziploc bag. Add in enough olive oil to coat each potato slice, and then pour in some of the ranch packet, to your taste. Place in baking dish and cook at 350 degrees until the potatoes are tender or crispy