Yummy Potato Soup
The thing I love about this recipe is that you can experiment with all kinds of vegetables. I love to add leftover veggies I have in my fridge--if they've been cooked before I add them at the end after the soup is finished cooking and just sitting on the stove. (It is hot enough that it heats them up but doesn't overcook.) I've even added frozen peas or corn at the very end for a little extra. Last night I added a couple of handfuls of fresh broccoli that I diced up and threw in--I didn't want it to get too mushy so I didn't cook it first. It cooked in the hot mixture as it sat there for a few minutes. It was perfect.

4 c. water
3 T chicken bouillon
2 t. salt

Veggie options
2 c. diced potatoes (I use white potatoes--not the russet baking kind but the white ones.)
2 c. diced carrots (I use baby carrots and then just slice them into chunks--I've even used matchstick carrots and diced those up)
1 c. celery (I leave this out sometimes)

Combine all of the above in a large pot and boil for about 15-20 minutes until tender.

Add to mixture:
3 1/2 c. milk (Please note--last night I used 3 c. milk and 1/2 c. cream it was divine!!!) The milk will cool it off slightly. I turn the heat down after a minute--to about medium or a little above. You don't want it to come back to a rolling boil but it should simmer a bit. While it's heating back up for about five minutes you make the following roux (a flour and butter thickening mixture). Don't be afraid of messing up the roux -- the key is to melt the butter slowly over medium heat and don't scorch it. Use a whisk when you add the flower and just keep stirring--take it off the heat as soon as it's mixed in and keep stirring.

1/2 butter (1 stick)
1/2 flour
Melt the butter first and then slowly add the flour and keep stirring over heat until it is all combined in a smooth creamy mixture. Add to the soup mix and stir it in.

Turn off the stove and let the pot sit there and simmer slightly as the stove cools down. This is the point that I add 1 or more of the following ingredients:

1 c. frozen peas (add at the end)
1 c. frozen corn (optional at the end)
Like I said--last night I added about 1/2 c. fresh, raw broccoli and loved it.

Enjoy this with memories of home!!!

I had the best cheese biscuits on that pumpkin picking activity. I'll try and get her recipe and add it to the blog. It would be great with soup. Love you all soooo much :)