Soup Recipe – Cheesy Potato Soup PLUS

Ooh, get your hungry on! Regular Contributor, Calvalyn Day, is bringing us a delicious and hearty Cheesy Potato Soup Recipe.

Cheesy Potato Soup PLUS

A Recipe Even Your Teenagers Will Love!

 

This recipe was originally created to meet the taste buds of hungry teenagers that crammed into my house for a sleepover. That’s right, another teenager sleepover! ARGH!

Have no fear, supermom is here! No seriously, I simply cannot stand one more pizza party, and I refuse to blow half my weekly budget on nutrient-less (is that a word?) carb-laden snack items. I thought, what a great day to test out my new Cheesy Potato Soup Recipe, but you don’t need to wait for a sleepover of course. The cooler nights creeping across most of the country now, means you can never have enough soup recipes. And, once you see how easy this is, you will be singing my praises!

I found the original recipe on my favorite past time, Pinterest, and it looked simple enough. However, I decided to make a few changes to have the soup be as filling and healthy as possible. The original recipe calls for only potatoes, 5 pounds, chopped with the skin on. I prefer them peeled, but leaving the skins on would add a good deal of fiber as well. Personal preference basically, up to you.

I cut the amount to about half and added a large bag of frozen Florentine vegetables to plump up the veggie count.

Next, add all the vegetables to the crock-pot with 64-ounces of chicken broth. I was fortunate to have some fresh homemade broth from a roasted chicken I had made the night before (yum), so I only needed one 32-ounce container. Beef or vegetable broth could be used, but would slightly alter the taste and color. Using low sodium is also a good idea.

Here’s what I used:

One onion and a few spices that can be altered to taste, two teaspoons of garlic, one teaspoon of pepper, and salt to taste. I use seasoned salt which has a bit of paprika as well. When it’s all said and done, your crock-pot will look like this.

Set it on low, and forget it.

5-6 magical hours later, you’ll have this.

Next, using an immersion blender, or the old fashioned kind, pulse the soup to your desired consistency and blend in 16 ounces of cream cheese before you serve. Since the majority of my family is lactose intolerant we use cream cheese substitute.

The final product is this amazing wonder below. I like to serve garnished with a little extra pepper, cheese and bacon bits. We had the soup with sandwiches, but it’s more than filling by itself with a little crusty bread. I’ve also turned it into cheeseburger soup by adding a half pound of crumbled ground beef or even leftover meatloaf–when that last slice isn’t enough to make a meal for anyone.

 

5 from 1 reviews
Cheesy Potato Soup PLUS
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
A delicious and hearty Cheesy Potato Soup with Florentine Vegetables from Life With Lorelai's regular Contributor, Calvalyn Day.
from:
Type: Soup
Serves: 8 servings
Ingredients:
  • 3 pounds peeled, chopped Potatoes ($1.50)
  • 1 large package frozen Florentine Vegetables ($1.67)
  • 64-ounces of Chicken Stock ($1.79 with my homemade broth added)
  • 1 Onion, chopped ($.20)
  • 2 teaspoons of Granulated Garlic
  • Salt and Pepper to taste
  • 1 16-oz package of Cream Cheese (or Tofutti)($1.99)
  • Cheddar Cheese, Bacon Bits, Fried Onions (optional garnishes)
Directions:
  1. Place Potatoes, Vegetables, Chicken Stock, Onions, Granulated Garlic, Salt, and Pepper into the crock-pot and cook on low for 5-6 hours.
  2. Blend cooked soup with Cream Cheese until smooth.
  3. Garnish with Cheese, Bacon, and Fried Onion as desired.
  4. Enjoy!
Notes
Recipe makes at least 8 good-size servings and is AWESOME the next day. Not accounting for seasoning and garnish the meal comes in well under $10, even adding a couple dollars for bread. Tummy filling and money stretching all in one! Let me know if you enjoy it, I’m hungry for it again already.
3.4.3177

 

 

I hope you will enjoy this Cheesy Potato Soup!

 

Visit Calvalyn at her blog, Indy Parent Coach!

 

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Watermelon, Blueberry & Feta Salad Recipe

Watermelon, Blueberry & Feta Salad

A Refreshing PATRIOTIC Side Dish!

 

Labor Day is here. That means the end of summer, and the last of the big BBQs. So, get out your flags and bunting, and let’s make another Patriotic splash! I’m sharing with you today a recipe for a delicious and refreshing red, white, and blue salad that is wonderful anytime, but especially fun for those Star-Spangled holidays–Watermelon, Blueberry & Feta Salad. It is super quick, super easy, and super tasty.

Here’s What You Need:

Watermelon, Blueberries, Feta Cheese, and Balsamic Vinegar. Can you believe it? There are only 4 ingredients.

The Directions:

Cut your watermelon into large rectangles, triangles, crescents, or whatever shape you’d like. Stars perhaps? Place the watermelon on a platter. Top with blueberries and Feta cheese. Drizzle with Balsamic vinegar. Easy peasy, right?

This watermelon salad will not only be a big hit for its fabulous flavor, but also for its fun and festive appearance.

Tip for Cutting Watermelon

If you are just wanting bite-sized chunks of watermelon for this salad or any other time, try this easy cutting tip.

  1. Cut your watermelon in half.
  1. Using a knife, cut along the outer edge of the red, along the rind.
  1. Now, take the knife and cut through the ripe fruit (but not through the rind), making strips or vertical lines.
  1. Then cut perpendicular lines, so it resembles a checker board.
  1. Scoop out the watermelon using a large spoon. Scoop horizontally to make chunks.

All the juices stay within the rind making for easy clean-up.

Here’s a Printable Recipe just for you… Enjoy!

5 from 1 reviews
Watermelon, Blueberry & Feta Salad
 
Prep time
Total time
 
A delicious and refreshing red, white, and blue salad that is wonderful anytime, but especially fun for those Star-Spangled holidays--Watermelon, Blueberry & Feta Salad. It is super quick, super easy, and super tasty.
from:
Type: Salad
Ingredients:
  • Watermelon
  • Blueberries
  • Feta Cheese
  • Balsamic Vinegar
Directions:
  1. Cut your Watermelon into large rectangles, triangles, crescents, or whatever shape you'd like. Stars perhaps?
  2. Place the watermelon on a platter.
  3. Top with Blueberries and Feta Cheese.
  4. Drizzle with Balsamic Vinegar.
Notes
Tip for Cutting Watermelon:

If you are just wanting bite-sized chunks of watermelon for this salad or any other time, try this easy cutting tip.

1. Cut your watermelon in half.
2. Using a knife, cut along the outer edge of the red, along the rind.
3. Now, take the knife and cut through the ripe fruit (but not through the rind), making strips or vertical lines.
4. Then cut perpendicular lines, so it resembles a checker board.
5. Scoop out the watermelon using a large spoon. Scoop horizontally to make chunks.
3.3.3077

 

Do you have a favorite Patriotic Side Dish?

What salads do you make using watermelon?

 

Leave me a comment… I’d love to hear from you!

~Lorelai

 

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Tomato & Grilled Bell Pepper Salad

 

Tomato & Grilled Bell Pepper Salad

A Tasty Side Dish for Any Meal

 

Tomato and Grilled Bell Pepper Salad is a perfect side dish for a barbecue or any meal. It’s quick, easy, and tasty, tasty, tasty! Of course, this salad is best with fresh-from-your-garden produce, but it is delicious any time of year. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

This salad features very simple ingredients: Bell Peppers, Tomatoes, Feta Cheese, fresh Basil, Olive Oil, and Sea Salt.

Directions:

Chop the bell peppers into bite-sized chunks, and dress them with a little olive oil and sea salt to taste. Place the bell peppers on the grill. (This can be done on the stove top in a grill pan as well.) Chop the tomato, and chiffonade the basil.

When the bell peppers are grilled, combine with tomatoes in a bowl. Add the feta cheese and basil. Toss and serve.

Here’s a Printable Version of this Recipe:

5 from 1 reviews
Tomato & Grilled Bell Pepper Salad
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
A beautiful salad with fresh tomato and grilled bell pepper.
from:
Type: Salad
Ingredients:
  • Tomato (multiple colors if you like)
  • Bell Pepper (multiple colors if you like)
  • Feta Cheese
  • Fresh Basil
  • Olive Oil
  • Coarse Sea Salt
  • **NOTE** - Adjust amount of tomato and bell pepper for the number of people you are serving.
Directions:
  1. Core and cut the Bell Peppers into bite-sized chunks
  2. Drizzle with a little Olive Oil
  3. Sprinkle with Coarse Sea Salt (to taste)
  4. Put the Bell Peppers on the Grill, or in a grill an on the stove top
  5. While the peppers are cooking: Chop the Tomatoes
  6. Chiffonade (or chop) the Basil
  7. When the peppers are grilled, combine with tomatoes in a bowl
  8. Top with Feta Cheese Basil
  9. Toss the Salad
3.3.3077

 

Do you ever use grilled vegetables in salad?

What are some of your favorite fresh salad side dishes?

 

 

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Arugula Salad with Tomato and Pignolias

Arugula Salad

with Tomato and Pignolias

 

This salad is so simple yet super delicious and healthy for you. It can be ready to eat in ten minutes or less. How great is that?

Here’s how you do it…

You’ll need Wild Arugula, Grape Tomatoes, a regular garden-sized Tomato, and raw Pignolias (Pine Nuts). I used a Lemon Boy tomato from our yard, which added a nice yellow color to the salad. If you can’t find Grape Tomatoes, any type of mini tomato will work just fine.

 

Toast the Pignolias in a skillet with Olive Oil, Coarse Sea Salt, and freshly ground Pepper. Cut the Grape tomatoes in half diagonally, and chop the garden tomato. Place the Arugula in a bowl, then the tomatoes, top with the toasted pignolias, and toss.

 

We served this as a side salad with burgers, hot off the grill, and one of our favorite grilled side dishes, Sour Cream, Cilantro, Parsley Potatoes.

 

 

 

Here’s a Printable recipe, just for you…

5 from 1 reviews
Arugula Salad With Tomato & Pignolias
 
Prep time
Total time
 
Wild Arugula Salad with Grape Tomatoes, Lemon Boy Tomatoes, and toasted Pignolias (Pine Nuts)
from:
Type: salad
Ingredients:
  • I Bag - Wild Arugula
  • Grape Tomatoes (or any mini tomato)
  • Lemon Boy Tomatoes (or any other type of garden tomato)
  • Raw Pignolias (Pine Nuts)
  • Olive Oil
  • Coarse Sea Salt
  • Fresh Ground Pepper
Directions:
  1. Put a skillet on to get hot with a little Olive Oil
  2. Toast Pignolias with Salt and Pepper to taste
  3. Wash Arugula
  4. Slice Grape Tomatoes in half diagonally
  5. Chopped Lemon Boy Tomato
  6. Place cleaned Arugula in a Bowl
  7. Put in both types of Tomatoes
  8. Top with Toasted Pignolias
  9. Toss
3.3.3077

 

You’ve all heard your mother say to Eat Your Greens, but this Arugula Salad makes it a very tasty proposition! I hope you will enjoy.

Do you have any tasty Arugula recipes?

What kind of easy healthy sides do you like to serve with BBQ?

 

Leave me a comment… I’d love to hear from you!

~Lorelai

 

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End-of-Summer Recipes

As Summer Comes To An End…

End-of-Summer Recipes!

With the scent of newly sharpened pencils floating on the breeze, we know that the last days of summer are upon us. Even though the weather may still be warm and wonderful, the kids are either already back in school or headed there soon. So, I thought it would be nice to share a few Pinterest Pins for End-of-Summer Recipes.

I hope you enjoy!


Lavender Lemonade … How refreshing! What an incredibly nice way to cool down and relax. This PIN is from Centsational Girl, check out the Recipe Here.
UPDATE: If you’re having trouble with Centsational Girl’s network, try Kelly at Eat Yourself Skinny. She has this lovely Recipe too! (Centsational Girl’s recipe used 3/4 cup sugar and no agave or honey. Can be made with frozen lemonade.)


End-of-Summer Cobb Salad … What a great idea to add fresh fruit to a Cobb Salad. I love it! Check out This Recipe PINNED from PaleOMG.


The Best Ever End-of-Summer Berry Cobbler … Yum-O! Serve with the melty lusciousness of vanilla ice cream, and you are in heaven. Find this PIN from Willow Bird Baking and the Recipe Here.


21 Great End-of-Summer Recipes … This fun compilation of culinary goodness even includes a super cool Salt-Dough Starfish! This PIN came from Tatertots & Jello. Peruse the 21 Recipes Here.

Do you have any favorite Summer Pinterest Pins?

What about a favorite Summer Recipe?

 

Leave me a comment… I’d love to hear from you!

~Lorelai

 

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Winter Tomatoes with Recipes

What a Delight ~ Winter Tomatoes!

Luke and I still have four tomato plants in our garden that just do not want to give up the ghost. This is the second winter for my Lemon Boy tomato–can you believe that?! We also have a green bell pepper that has 4 or 5 peppers growing.

Sunday we picked a full dozen tomatoes from those vines. It was so exciting. So, I thought I would look around Pinterest and see what I could find for Winter Tomatoes. Here are a few of the yummy ideas I came across. Check out the recipes; I hope you enjoy.

Gabrielle’s Winter Tomato and Corn Soup by White on Rice Couple


Doesn’t this soup look absolutely delicious? I think I may try this using my fresh from the garden winter tomatoes and supplementing with canned tomatoes if need be. Yum!

Tomato-Rosemary Confit Croustades by Cooking on the Weekends

What a great snack or appetizer! The color is so pretty. I can almost taste the crunch of the croustades, the succulent tomato and rosemary… scrumptious.

Provencal Rosemary Tomatoes by Alicia Ross, Kitchen Scoop – Toledo Blade

Can’t you just smell the wonderful aroma of roasting tomato and rosemary? This would be so good with baked chicken or beef roast.

I can’t wait to give these recipes a try. Our little bushes are full of tomatoes waiting to ripen. It’s going to be a delicious winter!

You can find these PINS on my Life With Lorelai Blog Pinterest Boards:

Food – Soups/Chowders/Chilis
Food – Appetizers
Food – Side Dishes

Do you ever get Winter Tomatoes?

What would you do with your tomatoes?

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Grilled Salmon Kabobs & Lemon Asparagus Couscous Salad With Tomatoes

A Scrumptious Summer Supper

I wanted to share with you the lovely summer meal that Luke and I had Wednesday night. We grilled up Salmon Kabobs and made an amazing Lemon Asparagus Couscous Salad with Tomatoes. It was delicious, filling, and super healthy! I hope you will enjoy it as much as we did.

Grilled Salmon Kabobs
Printable Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 Tbs. – Fresh Oregano, chopped
  • 2 Tbs. – Sesame Seeds
  • 1 tsp. – Cumin, ground
  • 1/4 tsp. – Red Pepper Flakes, crushed
  • 1-1/2 Lbs. – Wild Salmon Fillet, skinned and cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 – Lemons, very thinly sliced into rounds
  • Olive Oil cooking spray
  • Coarse Sea Salt, to taste
  • 16 – Bamboo Skewers, soaked in water for 1 hour.

Directions
  • Heat the Grill on Medium Heat, and rub Oil on the grates. Combine Oregano, Sesame Seeds, Cumin, and Red Pepper Flakes in a small bowl, mix well, and set aside.
  • Use 2 parallel skewers and thread Salmon and folded Lemon Slices beginning and ending with salmon. You should yield 7 or 8 completed skewers.
  • Lightly coat the salmon with the Olive Oil Spray, then season with Salt and the reserved spice mixture.
  • Grill the Salmon Kabobs, turning occasionally, until fish is opaque throughout, about 8-10 minutes.

Lemon Asparagus Couscous Salad with Tomatoes Printable Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1-Box – Israeli Couscous (whole wheat pearl couscous)
  • 1-Bundle – Thin Asparagus Spears (reserve water from boiling)
  • 1-1/2  Cups – Tomatoes, chopped
  • 1/4 Cup – Red Onion, finely chopped
  • 1-1/2 – Lemons, juiced
  • 1 Tbs. – Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 2 Tbs. – Fresh Italian Parsley, chopped
  • Coarse Sea Salt, to taste
  • Fresh Cracked Pepper, to taste
  • Slivered Almonds, optional
Salad Prep

Directions

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
  • Rinse Asparagus. Snap bottoms off to remove tough ends (If you bend the asparagus they will snap in the appropriate place).
  • Place asparagus into the boiling water and cook for 3 minutes. Remove with a large slotted spoon and rinse in a colander with cold water to stop cooking.
  • Turn off burner and replace lid to the asparagus water. Reserve for later.
  • Cut asparagus into 1/2 inch pieces.
  • Chop Tomatoes (I used our homegrown regular sized tomatoes, but you could use grape or pearl tomatoes), Red Onion, and Italian Parsley.
  • Place all chopped vegetables and herbs into a large bowl.
Couscous

Directions

  • Bring Asparagus Water back to a boil.
  • In a skillet, add the Olive Oil and the Couscous (my box had about 1-1/2 Cups of couscous). Toast the couscous until lightly golden.
  • Follow the directions on your couscous box for how much Boiling Water to use. the asparagus water will add extra flavor.
  • Bring couscous to a boil.
  • Reduce heat to a simmer, and cover couscous.
  • Simmer for about 10-12 minutes or until couscous has soaked up all of the water. If it sticks to the pan a little, you can add a tiny bit more of the asparagus water to loosen the couscous from the pan.
  • Add the couscous to the other salad ingredients in the bowl, Salt and Pepper to taste.

Serving Suggestions

  • Serve the Salmon Kabobs hot off the grill.
  • The Lemon Asparagus Couscous Salad with Tomatoes can be served directly after making, at room temperature, or chilled.
  • We rounded out the meal with fresh sliced Avocado.
  • Leftover salmon can be added to the couscous salad for a delicious lunch the next day. Warm the salmon or use it cold.

Please let me know how much you enjoy this
Scrumptious Summer Supper!

Do you have any Summer Favorites?

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Sour Cream, Cilantro and Parsley Potatoes on the Grill – Printable Recipe

Sour Cream, Cilantro and Parsley Potatoes on the Grill

Sour Cream, Cilantro and Parsley Potatoes on the Grill

Last week when Luke and I barbecued our Citrus, Chili, Cilantro Chicken, we made these delicious potatoes to go with it. You are going to love this simple recipe!

Ingredients~

  • 1 Bag Red Potatoes
  • Cilantro
  • Italian Flat Leaf Parsley
  • 2 Tsp. Butter
  • 1 Tsp. Sour Cream
  • Coarse Sea Salt to taste
  • Freshly Ground Pepper
  • 3/4 to 1 Cup Sour Cream

Directions~

Potatoes
Wash Potatoes and cut into bite-sized chunks. Place Potato chunks on a large sheet of Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil. Chop Cilantro and Parsley (you will use this for the potatoes and the sauce). Put a heaping handful of both Herbs on the potatoes. Add Butter and 1 Tsp. Sour Cream on top of potatoes and herbs. Salt and Pepper to taste. Give a light mix of ingredients with your hands so you don’t rip foil (butter and sour cream will not be thoroughly mixed).


Making the Packet: Pull long sides of foil loosely up around potatoes so the edges meet at the top. Fold over the edges to seal (don’t make this tight to the potatoes). Then pull up and fold in the sides to seal them.

Place your Potato Packet on the top rack of your Grill. They will take about 40-50 minutes to cook.


Sauce
Add remaining Cilantro and Parsley to 3/4 to 1 Cup of Sour Cream, stir to combine. Refrigerate until serving.

Serving~

I top the grilled potatoes with a dollop of the herb sauce, and leave the rest of the sauce on the side for people to add to their taste.

The flavors in this dish are amazing…enjoy!

Sour Cream, Cilantro and Parsley Potatoes on the Grill

Click here for a Printable Recipe

Have you ever done potatoes on the grill?
Be sure to let me know what you think!

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