Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Creamy Ham and Potato Soup

An easy, creamy, tasty soup to warm you from the inside out.


Ingredients

• 3 1/2 cups peeled and diced potatoes
• 1/3 cup diced celery
• 1/3 cup finely chopped onion
• 1/2 cup carrots, sliced
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 3/4 cup diced cooked ham
• 3 1/4 cups chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons chicken bouillon granules
• 5 tablespoons butter
• 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions
1. In a sockpot combine the potatoes, celery, onion, carrots, ham and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, cook over medium heat until potatoes are tender, about 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in the chicken bouillon, garlic powder, salt and pepper.

2. In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in flour with a fork, and cook, stirring constantly until thick, about 1 minute. Slowly stir in milk as not to allow lumps to form until all of the milk has been added. Continue stirring over medium-low heat until thick, 4 to 5 minutes.

3. Pour the milk mixture into the stockpot while stiring, and cook soup until heated through. Serve immediately.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Creamy Hot Chocolate

Treat yourself to a little chocolate therapy this winter.


Ingredients
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup white sugar
1 pinch salt
1/3 cup boiling water
3 1/2 cups milk
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup evaporated milk

Directions

1. In a saucepan combine the cocoa, sugar and pinch of salt. Blend in the boiling water. Bring this mixture to a boil while you stir. Simmer and stir for about 2 minutes.

2. Stir in 3 1/2 cups of milk and heat until very hot, but do not boil!

3. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Pour into 4 mugs. Add the cream to the mugs of cocoa to cool it to drinking temperature.

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