Mashed Potato Soup - Perfect for These Cold Winter Days!

Did I mention it's been snowing almost every day?  We're kind of forgetting what that bright yellow orb in the sky is around here...

So, let's make some yummy soup!  Warm the soul and all that sort of thing.  Minimally, warm up the tummy.

I ran across a delicious recipe for Crock Pot Cheesy Potato Soup over at Tammilee's Tips and thought I could tweak it to match what I have on hand.

Here's my recipe:

Mashed Potato Soup

Put these ingredients in your Crock Pot:

• 6 chopped potatoes (more/less, depending on their size and how much you want to make)
• 1/2 an onion
• 2 cups chicken stock/broth
• Salt, pepper and minced dried garlic, to taste

Cook on high for 4-6 hours or low for 7-9 hours.

Next ingredients:

• 1-2 cups of milk
• 1 cup of shredded cheese

Once they are cooked, mash them and add milk.  Here is a decision point for you: how much milk? Want them like regular mashed potatoes?  Add about 1 cup.  More "soupy"?  Add 2 cups.  

Now, time for the cheesy goodness.  Mix in 1 cup of your favorite (or on hand) shredded cheese.  I tend to have a BIG bag of cheddar/jack mix, so that's what I use.

Final ingredients:

• Bacon
• Additional Cheese
• Green onions

Want to make this a "loaded baked potato soup"?   If so, you just HAVE to have the above ingredients.  Cook up some bacon and crumble it; set aside more cheese (no such thing as too much, just saying) and chop up some green onions.  

After spooning out some soup in bowls, put out a platter with the additional ingredients for people to use.  Personally, TAKE YOUR BACON FIRST!  :)

This was a GREAT part of dinner and then lunch the next day - mmmmm... good!

Have fun in the kitchen,
Carrie