Good Eats

I love soup, especially the really yummy, not so good for you, comfort type. During our hot Texas summers I'm never as in the mood for a good bowl of soup, but as soon as fall rolls around and the weather starts to cool I get so excited for homemade soup. There is just something in me that says a cold day equals warm yummy soup eaten in front of the tv with a fire going in the fireplace.

One of our household favorites is potato soup. I have a recipe for a really good spicy sausage and potato soup but have forever searched for a perfect (and easy) regular "restaurant style" version (think Saltgrass). Last year I bought a Slow Cooker Southern Living Cookbook and I am happy to say I found what I think is an awesome potato soup. Since we are almost in October (hard to believe) I am in full force soup mode and bought all the ingredients to make it this weekend. I thought I would share for anyone looking for a really yummy and easy recipe...

Ingredients:

6 large russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 large onion, chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)

3 (14 ounce) cans chicken broth with roasted garlic
1/4 cup butter
1 1/4 teaspoons salt

1 1/4 teaspoons freshly ground pepper

1 cup whipping cream or half-and-half

1 cup (4 ounces) sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded

3 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

* Combine first 6 ingredients in slow cooker

* Cover and cook on high 4 hours or on low 8 hours or until potato is tender

* Mash mixture until potatoes are coarsley chopped and soup is slightly thickened, stir in cream, cheese, and chives. Top with sour cream, bacon, and cheese before serving.

** The original recipe called for 2 1/2 teaspoons of salt. We thought it was too salty, so the next time I made it I cut the salt in half and it was better. I also usually don't do chives since Jeff is not a fan.

** The picture above is not the actual soup, it is from My Recipes. I thought a post with no picture is never as much fun.

Since I'm in a cooking mood right now, I thought I'd also share one of my favorite desserts. This recipe is also from a Southern Living Cookbook (Easy Weeknight Favorites). Really I haven't found a bad recipe from Southern Living. I have several cookbooks and love everything I have tried. This is my "go to" recipe if I have to bring a dessert for something. I don't make it that much for us because Jeff isn't as huge a fan of caramel as me and then I end up eating all of it myself.

Gooey Turtle Bars

2 cups graham cracker crumbs or vanilla wafer crumbs

1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted

2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate morsels

1 cup pecan pieces

1(12 ounce) jar caramel topping

* Combine crumbs and butter in an ungreased 13 x 9 x 2 inch pan; stir and press firmly into bottom of pan. Sprinkle with chocolate morsels and pecans.

* Remove lid from caramel topping; microwave 1 to 1 1/2 minutes or until hot, stirring after 30 seconds. Drizzle over pecans. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes or until morsels melt; let cool in pan on wire rack. Chill at least 30 minutes; cut into bars.

These are two of my favs...not really that good for you, but so, so yummy. Hope y'all enjoy if you try them. Happy Eating...