valentineFUN...Squirrel Mix & Potato Soup!

valentineFUN: So here is a new idea for Valentine's Day...Double this potato soup recipe and bring a batch of it to your neighbors with a loaf of bread and a bag of this scrumptious dessert! How delighted would you be to receive something like that on a cold day?  Here is a great attachment for a free gift tag you can print to add to your package:

Hello Neighbor Tag from Joy Ever After!

Click on this link from www.cookeatshare.com com for a Traditional recipe for "puppy chow...OR...muddy buddies" (I don't like to bake so this is a good dessert for me to whip up and somehow feel more domestic)! 

For my Muddy Buddies (or Squirrel Mix as we called it...) I used a slow-cooker recipe that allowed me to make the soup while the chocolate was melting.  I added craisins, pistachios, dried cherries and almonds to ours.  We gave it away as gifts so I tried to make it more personal by calling it "Squirrel Mix." We call Paige our little squirrel these days (I know it is random...but she loves to pile her little "treasures" into little boxes and bags and hide them in corners and cart them around the house as she scurries about her day...that girl keeps us laughing. You can often hear us saying, "Don't squirrel that!"

 

Potato Leek Soup

2 ½ cups Chicken or Veg Broth 

(or 2 ½ cups water + 4 chic bullion)

4 or 5 Medium Potatoes (cubed)

2 or 3 good sized Leeks (washed well)

2 or 3 good sized Celery stalks

1 piece of Bacon (plus more for garnish if desired)

Place chopped bacon in the bottom of a medium sized pan with butter (or oil)…after a few minutes of browning bacon add veggies and cook until sauteed. Season with Salt and Pepper.  Add broth and cook about 30 minutes until potatoes are tender. Add more seasoning, to taste. Garnish with fresh parsley, green onions, bacon, sour cream; any or all will be great with this soup.  *for a creamy texture…slowly add 1 ½ cup milk at the end of the 30 minutes. I did not add the milk, it was so good with out it!  Enjoy!