Soup Season Has Arrived!



So, I am a total lover of all things Fall. When I think of my perfect fall day it involves sunny but cool weather with a breeze just strong enough to blow some leaves around, hoodies, spiced candles, football on tv, maybe some corn hole in the backyard, crisp refreshing beer, some cozy baby cuddles, and fall food. I just love how food changes with seasons and in my family fall food means soups, stews, and chillis. YUM! I get so excited about trying new recipes that I have only a very select few that show up on a regular basis. As we get deeper into the fall season I thought I'd share one of my favorites. I hope you try it and it warms your belly and your heart the way it does mine. Maybe I'll share more as the season progresses!

I love to cook, and I wish I was decent and creating my own recipes, but I am no chef. I got this recipe from The Atlanta Journal and Constitution website. They feature restaurant recipes from time to time and I always find it fun to try to duplicate recipes or try recipes with a story behind them. This is Max and Erma's Potato, Cheese, and Bacon soup. I make a few very small changes to suit the tastes of my family.

First things first...and do not skip this step as it is the most important part of getting the most enjoyment out of cooking and eating this recipe.....

Open your windows to let the breeze in, turn on some football, light your favorite fall scented candle (I choose pumpkin spice) and crrrrrrrrraaaack a beer (wine or your favorite cocktail will work too). I think we are all aware of the benefits of drinking while cooking. (By the way, I believe beer goes well with every season, not just fall. But that's just my opinion.)

Per the recipe you will need the following:

4oz bacon, cut into 1/4 inch pieces. (I use the whole damn package for two reasons: 1. I love bacon and 2. Because I will most likely never use the rest of the package and it will end up rotten in my frig. I try to avoid this.)

1 small onion diced

1 1/2 ribs celery, cut into 1/4 inch pieces (I do use this, however I feel it is optional. I could take or leave celery and again, you are going to end up with almost an entire package of celery rotting in your frig)

1/2 cup all purpose flour

4 cups of chicken broth

3 cups peeled 1/2 inch potato cubes (about 2 potatoes)

1 cup half and half

1/4 tsp ground black pepper

1/4 tsp ground white pepper (please don't just use a half a teaspoon of black pepper and omit the white pepper. I believe that the white pepper is what makes this recipe special)

1 TBSP salt  (WATCH OUT here. This is a hell of a lot of salt, especially if you have added extra bacon. I LOVE salty food and this would be waaaaay too much salt for me. Taste the soup before you add the salt.)

1/4 pound sharp cheddar cheese grated (I always think it tastes better to buy the block of cheese and grate it yourself, but this is a pain the ass so you can make your own decision on that one.)

Chop all your stuff up first!

Place a heavy stockpot or Dutch oven over medium high heat and add diced bacon.

Cook stirring frequently, until bacon is brown, 5 to 7 minutes

Immediately add onions and celery and saute until soft and tender, about 5 minutes

Reduce heat to low and add flour to vegetables.

Cook over low heat for 5 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste.


Add chicken broth and potato cubes.

Increase heat to medium-high and bring to a boil.

Cover, reduce heat to medium and cook for 20 minutes or until potatoes are tender (if you have a baby handy, how is the time to enjoy your cozy baby cuddles. If not, go enjoy a game of cornhole.)

Cuddlicious

Add half-and-half, ground white and black pepper and salt and simmer for 5 minutes more

Stir in grated cheese until thoroughly melted.

Taste, adjust seasonings, and share!

30!

Today I turn 30 and I feel a little weird about it, but not in the way some might think. You'd expect it would feel sort of "mid-life-crisisish". I actually feel strange because I don't get that feeling. At all!! Today I feel so incredibly happy and content. I feel like I squeezed an enormous amount of life out of my twenties and when I reflect back on the past ten years I don't feel a moment of regret! The last year of my twenties will go down as one of the best in my lifetime.

For the last year I have worked at a property with an incredible group of people doing a job that I found challeging and that I felt succesful with. We all have our frustrations with work from time to time but I can say that if I must spend time away from my family, I am lucky to spend it with some of the people I work with. Not many people can say this about their job, company, co-workers, and bosses so I feel very blessed to have had this opportunity. I am so sad that my current job is coming to an end, but I am so excited for the opportunity that waits ahead of me (especially because the boss I love will be coming with me!).

I have spent more time with family this year than I have in many years and I have built and maintained some fabulous friendships. Growing up it was somewhat of a tradition to spend Sunday dinner at my Grandma and Grandpa's house and I treasure the many Sundays at my mother and father's house this year. My fabulous family and network of friends not only make my life fun and exciting, but I also feel supported and protected knowing they are around.

In the last year of my twenties I married a man that I have fun with, who makes me laugh and feel good about myself, who listens to my struggles and frustrations and supports me in my own decisions, who is held dear by all who know him, who has inspirational morals, and is handsome as can be.

Lastly, my 29th year provided me with my son. This guy truly brings sunshine to everyday of my life. He will continue to make me a better person with each passing day and will forever give additional purpose and importance to my life.

There have been some major bumps along the road over the past ten years and as my mom would say, I have "fallen off the bus" more times than I would like to admit. It has not been an easy ride but I feel like the hardwork and hard lessons have set the stage for the life I have always wanted. I am sure rough roads still lie ahead (this is the way life goes) but right now I feel like my butt is planted and belted in "on the bus" and I am on my way to the destination I have dreamed of.

So, no. I don't feel sad to be 30 at all! How could I? I have lived my life to the fullest and I have so much to look forward to! I am lucky and wish the same to everyone!