[LuvtheCooper]

I have a couple good ones that are pretty easy to make.

Chili's baked potato soup

4 large baking potatoes
2/3 cup butter
2/3 cup flour
6 cups milk
1 tablespoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
4 green onions, chopped and divided
12 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
2 cups medium Cheddar cheese
2 cups sour cream

Wash, dry and prick potatoes with a fork. Microwave potatoes until completely soft. Cut into halves lengthwise and scoop out pulp, set aside.

In a large stockpot, melt butter over low heat. Add flour, stirring until mixed thoroughly; about 1 minute. Gradually add milk, cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with a whisk until mixture is thickened and bubbly. Add potato pulp (using whisk to break up potato chunks), salt, pepper, 2 heaping tablespoons green onions, half the bacon and 1 cup cheese. Cook until thoroughly heated. Stir in 1 cup of the sour cream. Add extra milk if necessary to achieve desired consistency.

Serve topped with dollop of sour cream, green onions, bacon and cheese.

and one more that we really love...




Zuppa Toscana


Ingredients
1 pound spicy Italian sausage - crumbled
1/2 pound smoked bacon - chopped
4 cups water
2, 14.5 ounce cans (about 3 2/3 cups) chicken broth
2 large russet potatoes - scrubbed clean, cubed
2 garlic cloves - peeled, crushed
1 medium onion - peeled, chopped
2 cups chopped kale OR Swiss chard --> I used Spinach
1 cup heavy whipping cream
salt and pepper - to taste

Directions
1. In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown sausage, breaking into small pieces as you fry it; drain, set aside.
2. In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown bacon; drain, set aside.
3. Place water, broth, potatoes, garlic, and onion in a pot; simmer over medium heat until potatoes are tender.
4. Add sausage and bacon to pot; simmer for 10 minutes.
5. Add kale and cream to pot; season with salt and pepper; heat through.