A turn away from the ordinary

While I have no intentions on turning this into a recipe blog - I cannot find a place in Fargo (with the exception of purchasing a laptop of my own - in due time people, in due time) that can upload photos from my digital camera memory card to provide you with more "personal" material.

Hence, I wanted to share a new (not really new, but new to me) recipe my mom recently shared with me. It has officially become soup season in Fargo (we've not exceeded 55 degrees all week). I grew up on "comfort food" - a traditional meat and potatoes kid from central Kansas. However, while these entrees leave you feeling slightly nostalgic - they do absolutely nothing for your waistline. In an effort to help eat those foods that make us feel good and warm - I'm exploring soup options rather than the full meat and potatoes meals that feel like you've ate Thanksgiving dinner everyday.

I have already made enough homemade noodles to feed a small army for the world famous Godsey family chicken and noodle. Our chicken and noodle is not considered a soup, rather we serve it over mashed potatoes and there are no vegetables. This recipe, however strays from the traditional Godsey C/N.

Bacon and Baked Potato Soup
(Serves about 4; 30 minutes)

Melt butter in large pot and saute onion and celery:
1 tbsp. butter
1/4 c chopped onion
1/4 c chopped celery

Add:
1 can reduced sodium chicken broth
1 1/4 milk
2 medium baking potatoes (cooked in microwave and divided into 1/2 inch cubes)
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper

Bring mix just to a boil; stirring constantly. Slightly crush potatoes with the back of a spoon. Reduce to medium low; simmer for 5 minutes and stir frequently.

Divide:
8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
3/4 c cheddar cheese
2 tbsp. green onion
1/4 c sour cream

2 options are available: serve immediately or put in crockpot (at the lowest setting) for serving later. I would suggest the crockpot; it allows the soup to heat completely through and thicken.

Just prior to serving add 1/2 of bacon, cheddar cheese, green onion and heat until cheese melted.

Allow people to add remaining bacon, cheese, green onion and sour cream as topping as desired.

Hopefully soon I can get some pictures uploaded to return to more meaningful posts - but in the meantime, enjoy the soup!