Potato, Cheese, and Ale Soup

The original recipe comes from Bitchin Camaro, brought to my attention by Crepes of Wrath.



1 tbsp. olive oil (I used bacon grease muhahahaha)
1 large yellow onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced (I used 5)
2 large Idaho potato, diced (I left the skin on…fiber!)
1 cup chicken stock
1 12. oz Ale-style beer (I used Sam Adams Summer Ale)
3/4 cup shredded cheese, plus 1/2 cup for garnish (I used cheddar and jack)
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. smoked paprika
1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
optional garnishes:
bacon (and to use the grease)
pretzels
sour cream

The original recipe is meant to serve 2...Since I wanted more than 2 servings, I added another potato. But I guess my potatoes were extra large, because it made a huge amount. I used a little extra of each other ingredient to accommodate, but still needed to add more liquid (to keep it creamy) so I added milk as well.

Yay, making soup!


Set a large pot over medium-high heat and add the olive oil/bacon grease. Saute the onions for 5 – 7 minutes, or until soft, then add the garlic and saute for another couple of minutes.

Add the potatoes and brown them a bit.


After 8 to 10 minutes, add the stock and beer and reduce the heat to medium. Let simmer uncovered for 15 minutes or so, or until the potatoes are tender.


Use an immersion blender, regular blender or food processor to puree the soup until smooth. (Because my extra potato made so much, I had to do this in two batches). Return to the pot and reduce the heat to low.


Stir in the cheese, salt, paprika and vinegar until well-combined. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.


Ladle into bowls and garnish with your choice...my choice was bacon, sour cream, and more cheese.


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Corn Chowder

This recipe is from the February 2008 issue of Real Simple. the article is "Fast Freezer Meals" and is talking about some frozen foods you can have around to make a quick dinner. The frozen food in this case being corn.

8 oz sliced bacon, cut into ½ inch pieces
1 large sweet onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped (although I actually used 6 :D )
½ teaspoon smoked paprika (not sure mine was actually smoked)
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 ten oz packages frozen corn
3 cups low sodium chicken or vegetable broth
1 cup half-and-half
salt and pepper
sliced scallions, optional (they're for decoration, I didn't use them)



Start by cooking the bacon


Isn't this the most gorgeous thing ever?


Here's the chopped onion cooking down in 2 tablespoons of the bacon grease (5-7 minutes)


Paprika, garlic, and red pepper flakes added (stir for 2 minutes)


Half and half, chicken broth, and corn added (bring to boil)


Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes


Then you transfer the soup to a blender to puree. The recipe says only transfer half, but I went ahead and pureed all of it because I have texture issues. Then return to pot and add salt and pepper (it says 1½ teaspoons, but I just used a few twists of the grinders). Serve and top with bacon (and scallions if you want).

Corn chowder weeeeee


If you're feeling more adventurous, you could try the shrimp and corn bisque.

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Shrimp & Corn Bisque

Fresh shrimp


Now it's time to make them edible...

losing their heads (and shells and veins)


I didn't pay attention to exact measurements, but I think it's something along the lines of this...
1 yellow onion
½ cup chopped bell pepper
½ cup chopped celery
¼ cup green onion
minced garlic
2 cans cream corn
1 ½ cups of shrimp? it was a big handful out of the bag.
1 pint half and half
½ pint heavy cream
Worcestershire and Tony's to taste
bacon (and its grease) could be considered optional

Let's start with bacon, cause that's always a good place to start


Then, saute onions and celery (SUPER TINY FROM A FOOD CHOPPER) in the bacon grease AND butter (there just wasn't enough bacon grease)


Add bell pepper and a little green onion


MORE BUTTER, and shrimp (and minced garlic). This would probably be a good time for the Worcestershire and Tony's.


Then add cream corn from a can


Then run through a blender so it's all blenderized


Add half and half and/or heavy cream (in this case, I put both). Simmer another 10 or 15 minutes.


yummmmyyy


I topped with bacon but it's phenomenal without


If seafood isn't your thing, you could just try a corn chowder.

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