Comfort food was on my mind this weekend, and for me that means soup, salad, crusty bread and a warm, chocolate dessert! For dinner last night, I made my own version of Marie Calendar's famous potato cheddar soup which saw my two kids return to the pot for 3rds.
Here's the recipe:
1 potato person, peeled and cubed
1/2 stalk celery per person, thinly sliced
1 large white onion, diced
1/2 - 1 lb. sharp chedder cheese, diced or grated.
1/4 cup half & half per potato (approximately)
Kosher salt & white pepper to taste
Snipped fresh chives
In a large pot with salted water, boil potato, onion celery. Cook until the vegetables are tender and the potato is ready for mashing. Drain vegetatables, reserving about 1 cup of the cooking water. Return vegetables and reserved water to the pot and, using an immersion blender, blend until fully mashed. (Alternatively, use a regular blender and blend in batches, returning each batch to pot.)
Add salt & pepper to taste.
While mashed vegetables are still hot, add cheese a handful at a time and stir until melted. When all cheese has been added and melted, check seasoning and adjust accordingly.
Turn heat on low and add enough half & half to thin the soup to your taste. Heat until warmed through. Serve topped with snipped chives.
Think of this as a cheesy baked potato and add whatever you like accordingly. Next time I plan to roast the potatoes first and to try a different cheese - maybe a good Monterey Jack. Also thought I might try some chipotle peppers for a warm, smokey flavor.
What comfort foods are you cooking? What flavors do you seek when it gets cold outside?
