Today, I am going to give you a recipe that I have made four times already in the last few weeks.. it is SO good that I can't stop sharing it with friends and family.. There are pictures too to help visualize as well. I made this with all organic ingredients, but that doesn't mean you can't make it without it being organic. I get a fresh, organic half share from a local CSA near town(I highly recommend this, as it serves for many weeks of organic, amazing produce that just can't be beat, I go through Kragnes Family Farms CSA). I am just warning you now, this soup is delicious and will make you think you are in the middle of nowhere, sipping this creamy, full of bacon flavored goodness, with leaves falling around you & that life couldn't get more perfect.. until you are literally scraping your bowl clean. ha. Alright folks here is a little slice of heaven(Yes, I did make this recipe up, by just adding the basics of normal potato soup with other delightful ingredients):
Ingredients:
- 5 large baking potatoes, I had regular baking potatoes and purple potatoes(yes there is such a thing) on hand so I used a little of both.
- 8 slices bacon, cook until crisp and chop, save some for topping the soup with.
- 2-3 tbsp. bacon drippings
- 1 cup chopped white onion
- 1 minced clove of garlic
- 2/3 cup flour(I used almond flour but you can use regular)
- 4 cups of chicken broth
- 2 cups half and half
- 2 cups shredded cheese(leave a little out for topping with)
- 1 celery stalk(the leaves of the celery are the most nutritious and can be chopped up and thrown into the soup)
- 1 bunch of long carrots diced
- 2 Tablespoons dried basil(I used purple basil)
- 2 Tablespoons rosemary
- 1 Tablespoon sage
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 2 teaspoons cumin
*If you enjoy your soup spicy, add a jalapeno or some crushed red pepper flakes. Yum!
Here are some pictures:
Who doesn't enjoy a whole pound of bacon sizzling to pure perfection?
Fresh, Organic Carrots staying cold in ice water out at the farm, until needed for deliveries.. Yum!
A whole box full of Sage, ready to bundle for deliveries out at the farm:
Directions:
1. Start by prepping bacon and potatoes(I just dice the potatoes up and add them uncooked to the soup, also remember to save some of that bacon grease!
2. Turn your burner on to medium heat, get a large stock pot out, fill the pot with the bacon drippings, and the onions, stirring frequently until they are translucent.
3. Add minced garlic and flour, continue to stir often(let it cook for roughly 2 minutes).
4. Slowly and carefully add the chicken broth to the onion, garlic & flour mix. Bring it to a simmer until the ingredients become thick and bubbly.
5. When ingredients get to that point, add all other ingredients EXCEPT for the bacon... after stirring in everything together, simmer, cook for 10-15 minutes, although you do not want to bring this to a boil.
6. Remember to taste as you go, add more depending on what you like.
7. You can really add anything to this soup to your liking and yes I do use a lot of herbs/spices but I also am a huge flavor gal.
8. After 10 minutes, add the bacon, take 1/3 of the soup out and puree it in a food processor or I used my Ninja food processor.
9. Scoop into bowls, add a little bit of cheese, minced green onions, bacon or whatever else you would like to top it with and ENJOY!!!!
9. Scoop into bowls, add a little bit of cheese, minced green onions, bacon or whatever else you would like to top it with and ENJOY!!!!
Being single, I end up having a lot left over, so I freeze almost everything I make or bring it to friends and family to have. So easy, and fun to do for others! You can freeze it for others and have it on hand in case a friend needs some cheering up, or just a good cup of soup! :)
Last week a good friend and I found a hidden park in Moorhead, bordering Fargo with the Red River in between us. As I walked through the park later that day by myself, the river did a almost like U turn, turning around and going in the opposite direction. It was amazing to walk along the shore line, lined with gorgeous colors and the river whispering instead of raging like it does when it floods 30+ feet every spring(yes it really does flood that much). Here are some pictures of the views I witnessed while walking and taking it all in... imagine crisp leaves under your feet, hearing the wind howl and the river flowing in a perfect melody with birds chirping and squirrels darting back and forth... perfect.
When I entered the park there were several wild turkeys running around...
If only I could have kept a couple..
There was this gorgeous little hideaway, down where the water rushed over a small dike that obviously hadn't held as well some might have thought it would, making a pretty little waterfall..
This is more of a close up down near the river.. so pretty.
The light is amazing there, the sun shines perfectly on all the different colors, casting amazing shadows.
It's as if you can see almost every branch on this tree. I love when the light catches the branches that way.
And if that wasn't enough, this view was amazing and spectacular. Just stunning.
Today's sunshine, was despite me spraining my ankle pretty badly, I had breakfast with a very close friend of mine, her name is Grace. She is one who keeps me laughing, encourages me & is one pretty lady herself(Yes, she is single for those men out there..(I know she is probably raising her eyebrows at me now! HA!)
Until next time... that's all folks!
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