Another One Crossed Off

Happy Friday eve everyone! All week I have been thinking a day behind but the day before Friday is finally here and that thought brings a smile to my face. I need another weekend!

The weather here is getting colder and colder. I keep thinking it is too early to think about snow but I don't think it is that far off. Two winters ago Ryan and I carved pumpkin a week before Halloween and there was snow on the ground that night.

About every week I log onto Day Zero project and take a good look at my 101 list. I think about things that I can accomplish and ones that are in progress. Here is my list again: 101 list

Last weekend I happened to have nothing really planned. It was Thanksgiving, my birthday and I didn't have to work on Monday. So, I picked up some ingredients to complete number 83; make homemade soup from scratch.

I had found what looked to be a simple yet yummy soup recipe that would work perfectly for this and for a easy Monday night supper.

Here is the recipe:

Baked Potato Soup

Ingredients:

2 tsp butter

2-3 cloves of garlic

1/2 cup flour

4 1/2 cups milk

1 can of chicken broth

4 medium baking potatoes

2 cups grated cheddar cheese

1 1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

1 1/2 cup sour cream

1/2 cup chopped green onions

(which I didn't use because Ryan doesn't like them)

8 slices of bacon cooked and crumbled (divided)

1. Melt butter in stock pot over medium heat. Add garlic and saute for 1 minute until fragrant.

2. Add flour.

3. SLOWLY add milk a little at a time while whisking constantly to eliminate lumps. Whisk until smooth.

4. Add chicken broth. Bring soup to a simmer and heat until thickened, stirring often. (Took about 5-10 minutes)

5. Once soup is thickened, turn heat to medium low. Cook potatoes in microwave for 5-10 minutes or until they can be easily sliced with a butter knife.

6. Cut potatoes in half, length wise and use a spoon to scoop out potato into pot discarding of skin. Smash the potatoes that are in the pot, breaking up large clumps.

7. Add 1 1/2 cups of grated cheddar cheese, salt and pepper. Stir until cheese is melted.

8. Remove pot from heat and stir in 3/4 cup of sour cream, 1/4 green onion, and 4 strips of crumbled bacon.

9. Ladle into bowls and garnish with more sour cream, bacon and green onion if you wish.

Ryan's second over flowing bowl of soup

10. ENJOY!

This recipe was super easy and made ALOT so I took the left overs and froze them because there was more than enough for another supper down the road. The instructions at first were intimidating for me because there seemed to be alot of steps but really the hardest part was getting the potatoes out of the skins.

I will definitely make this recipe again because it is super filling and Ryan actually liked it! (AMAZING!)

Homemade soup, CHECK. Another thing accomplished off of my 101 list. 16 down 85 more to go!

Hope everyone has a wonderful Thursday!

xo