There was snow yesterday. Today it decided to get cold. Very cold. Über cold, if you will.
Yeah. Thats cold.
What to cook when it’s cold like this? Something that will warm us up from the inside out… soup!
I had the thought of baked potato soup while making a grocery list with Adam, and I couldn’t get it out of my brain. I looked at a few recipes, and as usual, combined them together to make this creamy carb-fest dinner. The bacon in this could easily be left out or subbed, and the broth made vegetable for a vegetarian version. It would taste different, but still good!
Creamy Baked Potato Soup
Ingredients
5 or 6 large baked potatoes, diced
6 slices center-cut bacon, diced
1/2 large white onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
8 cups chicken broth
1.5 c. fat free half and half (or cream for a higher cal version)
2/3 c. fat free sour cream
salt & pepper to taste
2% shredded cheddar cheese for serving
Directions
Heat a large pot and add the bacon. Cook until crispy, Drain, leaving about 2 Tbsp. drippings. Add the garlic and onion and cook until lightly browned. Add potatoes, broth, salt and pepper. Simmer a few minutes. Lower heat so the soup is no longer bubbling, and add half and half and sour cream. Stir well. Lightly mash some of the potato, stir well, serve with cheddar cheese.
Enjoy!
We ate this amazingly comforting and delicious soup with some of this gorgeous crusty loaf of sourdough bread:
There may or may not have been some beer consumed too. I could NOT seem to warm up, and any sort of alcohol makes me super warm…so, now? I’m comfy. And tired. And ready for our honeymoon in 8 DAYS!!!
Stay warm, Chicago…
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
16°F here. We both need to move to warmer climates, haha.
haha I’m so jealous right now (of Jamaica!) oh and also of that bread!!!
.-= Christina´s last blog ..Honey Mustard Chicken Nuggets =-.
That bread…holy
You know how I feel about good bread. Soup + beer sounds perfect on this ridiculously cold evening. You are so lucky to have such a fun trip coming up so soon! YAY!!!
Have a wonderful night, Mara!
.-= Jenn (eating bender)´s last blog ..Sleepy “Timesaver” =-.
Mmmm, I used to make a mean delicious jalapeno beer cheese soup served in a breadbowl before I got all healthified. I mean, this recipe took a WHOLE POUND of cheese, it was not kidding around. But man, seeing what you ate brings back beer-y, bready, cheesey and yummy memories. Might just have to splurge on it (or something delicious like you have pictured) again soon.
And we are warmer (30s and 40s) here but it’s still cold enough for me to be INSANELY jealous of your trip.
.-= quix´s last blog ..Chasing my Shannon… =-.
That bread looks amazing!
I think I’d love that soup – bacon and potato is such a good combination
.-= Allison (Eat Clean Live Green)´s last blog ..Clean Eating Compromise =-.
omg that bread. i’m going to fly to your place just to steal it NOW!
.-= Melissa S.´s last blog ..Tis Baking Time… =-.
It is freeeeeeeeeezing here as well, but I’m not as creative (or ambitious) as you … I had French onion soup fro the can. Your soup looks amazing, and that bread …. omg delicious!
.-= Ashley´s last blog ..Breakfast confessions, call for guest posts =-.
The bread looks delicious! By the way, congratulations on your wedding. You looked gorgeous.
you need to move here.
.-= MizFit´s last blog ..MizFit’s Favorite Things. =-.
Whne it’s that cold outside, all I crave is soup too!!! I’m planning to make a big batch this weekend.
Stay warm and have a great weekend!!
.-= Lauren´s last blog ..Peace On Earth =-.
YUM! Alcohol, soup, and bread? How fitting for this frigid weather!!
.-= K´s last blog ..Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays =-.
ha, beer warms me up, too
that bread looks amazing!
.-= brandi´s last blog ..Favorites for Friday =-.
Perfect cold weather food! I love sourdough bread – I tried making it from scratch once, and it was a long process and didn’t turn out that great.
Now I stick to Panera!!
Happy Friday Mara . . . lucky duck you’ll be in warm weather soon!
.-= Biz´s last blog ..Bitter Cold =-.
Sure is cold here in Chicagoland. Blah! Just think though we’ll both be in warm weather soon. Looks like it’s 86 degrees in Jamaica today NICE! Less than a week for us. Can’t wait.
Not sure if anyone else is having this issue but the snowballs on your blog are making my computer go crazy LOL It’s very odd every time I try to come to your blog I get this issue.
.-= Angie (Losing It and Loving It)´s last blog ..Mini Trampoline Workout =-.
Okay I can now no longer officially complain about it being in the 30′s in Texas. (even though that IS freakishly cold for Texas!!) Your soup looks wonderful!! Perfect for your Chicago weather!
.-= Kelly B.´s last blog ..Easiest Recipe EVER + Best Holiday Movies =-.
Smart move putting that honeymoon off for a few days. Enjoy yourself
.-= Diana´s last blog ..How’s This for a Cooking Video? =-.
love love love potato soup, can’t wait to try this recipe!!
.-= jessie´s last blog ..i know you’ve missed them =-.