January 30, 2012

Disneyland's Loaded Baked Potato Soup



Loaded Baked Potato Soup from Carnation Café at Disneyland Park

Nothing sounds better on a cold night than a bowl full of soup. And nothing sounds better than this soup recipe!!

Serves 6

1 pound bacon, roughly chopped
1 medium yellow onion, diced
1 large carrot, peeled and diced
3/4 cup diced celery
4 large Russet potatoes, peeled and diced
4 medium red potatoes, diced
1/4 cup flour
2 cups chicken or vegetable stock
Coarse salt, freshly ground pepper, to taste
4 cups heavy whipping cream
Optional garnishes: chopped chives, bacon bits, sour cream, shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese

In a 6- to 8-quart stockpot over medium heat, fry bacon until crisp.
Remove bacon and drain on paper towels, reserving half for garnish. In bacon fat, cook onions, carrots, and celery until the onions are translucent. Add potatoes and cook for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Whisk in flour and stir constantly over low heat until the flour is cooked and the mixture has thickened slightly, about 5 to 7 minutes. Add chicken stock and half of the bacon. Season with salt and pepper.
Over medium-high heat, bring the soup to a simmer and cook for 25 minutes or until the potatoes are soft. Mash some of the potatoes for thicker, creamier texture. Add whipping cream and simmer for 5 minutes.
Adjust thickness by adding water or stock. Soup should have a creamy consistency.
Season to taste, and garnish with toppings.

Cooks’ notes: Soak diced potatoes in cold water until ready to use to keep them from turning brown. To make bacon easier to chop, lightly freeze.

January 26, 2012

Haystacks or No Bake Cookies



I LOVED these growing up. I had a hankerin' today for something with oats and this was perfect.

1 Cube Butter
1/2 Cup Milk
2 Cups Sugar
3 TBSP Cocoa
1 Tsp Vanilla
1/2 Tsp Salt

3 Cups Quick Oats
1 Cup Coconut or
2 TBPS Peanut Butter (depending on the flavor you want)

Mix first section of ingredients together in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and add oats and coconut. Mix well and spoon onto waxed paper and allow to set, 30 minutes.

If you want the peanut butter flavor add that before the oats and allow to melt.

January 23, 2012

Buttermilk Syrup

I had this at our Ward Christmas Party last year and couldn't get enough. Its the kind of syrup you could just drink it's that good!

1 Cube Butter
1 Cup Sugar
1/2 Cup Buttermilk

Combine all in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from heat.
Add 1/2 tsp Soda and
1 tsp Vanilla

Stir and serve warm over Pancakes, Waffles or French Toast