Whats for Dinner? Baked Potato Soup

After working outdoors today husband and I were really hungry and I needed to make a hearty meal that would satisfy our appetites.  So I checked to see what ingredients I had and  baked potato soup is what we are having for dinner tonight. 

Know that I always make extra baked potatoes because this is the main ingredient in this soup, if you do not eat them you can freeze them and use them later for soups, hash browns and stews.

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So today we are working in the yard and while we work I am slow cooking the potato soup.  Stopping periodically to stir the creamy potato soup so that it does not stick.  Later I will run to Panera bread company and pick up some dinner rolls or a loaf of French bread.  

Then I will harvest some herbs from the garden, chop them and blend into whipped butter. Herb butter sure does taste good and I think it will compliment the hearty potato soup.  Baked potato soup is one of my favorite soups.  It is comfort food that is so very satisfying.  Here is my mothers recipe.  

Here is another favorite creamy potato soup that I think you will really enjoy.

Hearty Baked Potato Soup Recipe

Baked potato soup is a hearty soup is a full flavor soup that your children and spouse will enjoy.  Homemade soup is always a good meal, as you can make it the day before and serve on a school night when you are pressed for time.

Source: recipenewz.com via RecipeNewZ on Pinterest

In my house my husband does most of the cooking but that is not to say that I do not cook.  I enjoy making comfort food and tend to do most of cooking and baking in the fall and winter season. 

 I enjoy making fresh soup in the morning and then letting it simmer on the stove.  If my hubby and I are out in the yard working all day the baked potato soup sure does taste good.  I like to serve this soup with a loaf of Italian bread and a side salad. 

Here is my recipe for baked potato soup.

Gather ingredients for baked potato soup:

6 cooked baked potatoes
3 Tablespoons low fat and salt free butter

½ cup of fine diced leeks

¼ cup of chopped celery

2 tablespoons of thinly sliced scallions

3 tablespoons of all-purpose white flour

1/8 teaspoon of ground black pepper

¼ teaspoon of kosher salt

1 ½ teaspoon of minced garlic

2 cup whole milk, half and half, heavy cream or buttermilk

1 ¼ cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese

3 cup low fat chicken broth

8 slices of turkey bacon

¼ cup low fat dairy sour cream

Recipe

Step 1
Cut baked potatoes in half and scoop out the pulp. Mash the potatoes with metal masher and put in a mixing bowl.

Step 2
For stove top preparation you would set the burner at medium high and melt the butter in a 6-quart Dutch oven pot.  Turn burner down to medium and cook the onions and the celery.  Cook down to remove the moisture.  Cook until onion and celery is tender. (Stir while onions and celery is cooking so they do not burn)

Step 3
Add dry ingredients; salt, pepper, and flour. Add garlic and mix all ingredients well. Then add the milk.  Mix all ingredients and turn the stove down to medium and let the soup cook for approximately ten minutes.  When the soup thickens you would then add your potatoes, one cup of cheese and the chicken broth.  Stir well until the cheese has melted.

Step 4
Remove the soup from the stove and set on counter.   Use a handheld blender to make the soup creamy.

Step 5
Use a ladle to fill the six soup bowls with six-ounces of the baked potato soup.  Garnish the soup shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled turkey bacon, scallions and a dollop of sour cream.
  
Tips:
Store any leftover soup in airtight container or freeze.

Optional serve the baked potato soup in a bread bowl.  I call ahead of time and ask bakery to bake me some bread bowls.  I usually serve the soup this way when I am having company.