Chunky Potato Cheddar Soup with Canadian Bacon (and Broccoli)
Is soup a meal? People really are divided on that. I've even got a divide in my own head. It's kind of a kooky split opinion. It's akin to siding with the letter of the law but preferring the spirit. If they passed a law that said wearing perfume in public was illegal, and then a poll taker put a gun to my head and said I had to sign my name in ink on a form agreeing or disagreeing with the new perfume law, then I'd be forced to sign saying it was unconstitutional and that people should be allowed to wear perfume. Secretly, I'd be loving the new law while publicly supporting an appeal and knowing that an appeal was absolutely, completely, thoroughly just. It's the same with this soup issue. Out loud I feel I must say it is definitely a meal. No argument to the contrary holds up. Yet there is a small voice way down deep saying simply, no it's not. You know it's not. It's just not. That voice won't listen to reason. I hate that voice.
My temporary appeasement is to contend that if you eat six bowls of a soup that's really good, as I did with this one, then you have most definitely had a meal, so shut up voice.
Chunky Potato Cheddar Soup with Canadian Bacon (or Ham or Another Meat) (and Broccoli)
Ingredients:
3 medium red potatoes
1 small onion
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
crushed red pepper flakes
ground black pepper flakes
3 cups milk
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup cooked cubed Canadian bacon (or ham, or bacon, or meat of your choice)
1 cup broccoli florets, chopped small (or cup of frozen green peas)
Directions:
1. Put medium sauce pot of water on to boil. Meanwhile, peel potatoes and cut into 1-inch cubes.
2. Cook potatoes in salted boiling water just until they are beginning to get tender. Scoop out 1 cup of potato cooking water and set aside. Drain potatoes.
3. Peel and finely chop onion. Melt butter in medium to large soup pot and add the onions, stirring frequently until they are tender and translucent.
4. Add flour, red pepper flakes, and black pepper to onions and cook for a minute or two into a thick, pasty mixture.
5. Add reserved 1 cup cooking liquid and stir. Add milk, potatoes, and sugar to the pot, and stir well. Add cheese and ham. Add optional broccoli or green peas. Simmer over low heat for 30 minutes, stirring frequently. Do not boil. Stir frequently and scrape bottom often.
6. Taste and adjust for seasonings. Serve with a good hunk of bread, or in a home-made breadbowl.
--Sweet B
Jamie on February 27, 2009 at 01:36 PM
Just in time (minus the Canadian bacon, etc.) for a Lenten Friday - thanks!
Samo on March 08, 2009 at 07:25 PM
How did you eat 6 bowls? This only made 3 for us, and we were bummed we couldn't have it tomorrow because this was really wonderful stuff. Totally a meal by the way, as I am fulllll. ;) I used bacon instead of Canadian bacon tonight. I just wish I had a bread bowl! darn! Next time I'm going to double it (and seek out the sourdough goodness). mmm.
Wong on October 26, 2009 at 08:38 PM
This dish is so beautiful...help me make a good potato dish for school please!