soup's on!

I've declared Saturdays to be,

Souper Saturdays!

And I might even implement, 

Souper Sundays!

In addition to,

Souper Thursdays!

Okay, never mind.  We'll stick with Saturdays.

My point is, I love a good bowl of soup.

But over the last couple years I have tried to get away from buying

pre-packaged foods, including soups.

So yesterday's homemade soup was,

Baked Potato...in a bread bowl!

(My use of exclamation points in this post is out of control, my apologies.)

It was super delicious and a hit with everyone!

Here's the soup recipe:

(source: allrecipes)

(adapted slightly by your's truly)

9 large baking potatoes

2/3 cup butter

2/3 cup all-purpose flour

6 cups whole milk (I used 2%)*

1/2 tablespoon salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

8 oz. container of sour cream

Top with:

bacon, fried crisp & broken into small pieces

scallions (I used dried chives)

shredded cheddar cheese

*I plan to use part milk and part chicken broth next time.

I think the broth will add a little more flavor.

But it's delicious with all milk, too.

Bake potatoes, wrapped in foil, in oven at 375 for one hour and 15 minutes.

Let cool.

Hollow out the insides and set aside.

Discard the potato skins...or bring them to me so I can give them to my chickens. :)

In large saucepan, melt butter.  Add flour, whisking for one minute or so.  

Add milk (and chicken broth, if you so desire), a little at a time.

Stir frequently until thickened.

Add those baked potatoes & mash up just a bit 

(we loved having some big chunks left in there!)

Stir in salt, pepper and sour cream.

Serve in a lovely bowl...or go all-out and make bread bowls!

Top with bacon, cheese & scallions (chives).

It really is easy to make your own soup from scratch.

It takes a little planning ahead,

but knowing that you're not filling your family with a gob of

unfamiliar ingredients is well worth it!

Enjoy!!