Jan 23
2009

Not being able to do any real cooking lately has been insanely frustrating! I’m just itching to get back into the kitchen. But Little Fuji #2 will be here soon and I’ll be allowed to be back on my feet again–WAHOO! It’s a good thing that I have had people willing to come and use my kitchen for me lately, otherwise I’d really be going crazy. An unused kitchen makes it onto my personal list of cardinal sins. A couple of days ago my mom came over and spent the day holding a sick Squirrel for me (the stomach flu has been ravaging its way through the Fuji cottage). In between cuddles she somehow managed to whip up some of the best potato soup I have ever had. She had been straightening up the kitchen for me and saw a forlorn bag of potatoes sitting in my pantry. Most of them needed to be thrown out, but some of them were salvageable, so we decided that potato soup would fit the bill. I got on-line and found a recipe on allrecipes.com that looked good. My mom and I went over the recipe, decided on some modifications, and then she got to work. If my face looked anything like my mom’s after my first bite of soup, it was a look of sheer bliss. SO YUMMY. I’m feeling extra generous today (it’s my birthday) so I guess I’ll share the recipe with you. ENJOY!!!

Potato Soup for the Soul
adapted from Delicious Ham and Potato Soup, allrecipes.com
Makes 8 servings

4 cups peeled and diced potatoes
2 stalks celery, diced
1 onion, finely chopped
1 cup diced cooked ham
1 quart chicken stock
2 tablespoons chicken bouillon granules
5 tablespoons butter
5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
8 slices bacon, cooked to a crisp
crumbled goat cheese, finely sliced green onions, salt, and pepper–for garnishing

1. Combine the potatoes, celery, onion, ham and chicken stock in a stockpot. Bring to a boil, then cook over medium heat until potatoes are tender, about 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in the chicken bouillon.

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. Stir the milk mixture into the stockpot, and cook soup until heated through. Top each bowl of soup with one slice of crumbled bacon, a tablespoon (or more!) of crumbled goat cheese, some sliced green onions, and salt and pepper to taste. Take a bite . . . swoon . . . enjoy!

** Today is National Pie Day! Your homework? Go and eat a piece of pie! I’ll be cheating a bit . . . I’ll be eating a piece of chocolate truffle tart that I requested for my birthday. Tart . . . pie . . . close enough, right?

** Expect to hear from me one more time before baby arrives! However, if she does decide to come before I post again, keep checking back because I’m handing the reigns to LFM over to Lolly and some other A-MAZING guest posters. I promise, you WILL NOT be disappointed!

Coming Sunday (unless I go into labor): What’s Coming up on LFM, some post-birthday cake commentary, and an award!

{ 37 comments… read them below or add one }

Misha January 23, 2009 at 9:09 am

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I’m sorry to hear the flu has been going around over there, we’ve been pretty sick ourselves. Nothing like potato soup to make you feel better though! I’ve gotten several recipes from Allrecipes.com, I’m excited to try this one!

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Ashley Ann January 23, 2009 at 9:10 am

Happy birthday!

Here’s wishing you a spectacular day and that the events leading up to baby’s birthday are smooth.

Best wishes!

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shaina January 23, 2009 at 9:24 am

Since potatoes are my ultimate favorite food, I’m with you on the soup (except for the goat cheese. Lactose intolerant.)

Wanted to wish you a happy birthday!! How exciting to be ready for baby. It’s so hard to sit still, isn’t it? If you weren’t on bedrest, I would recommend whipping up some freezer meals to make it easier for when you are home again.
Again, congratulations!

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Time In The Kitchen, Sue Hayes January 23, 2009 at 9:39 am

Happy Birthday!

Looks good!

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Bob January 23, 2009 at 10:08 am

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAMA! Hope you have as good a day as you can with a sick kid and being monster preggers. :) The soup looks great!

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Shean January 23, 2009 at 10:47 am

Happy Birthday I love potato soup and this will be a great add to my recipes.

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Anna January 23, 2009 at 10:55 am

Happy Birthday and best wishes for a speedy and pain-free arrival of baby #2!

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LollyChops January 23, 2009 at 11:18 am

Happy Birthday Fuji Pancakes!!!

HUGS!

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Meet the Dubreuils January 23, 2009 at 11:59 am

Happy Happy Birthday!! That soup looks divine! I’m going to have to try it tonight!!

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Little Ol' Liz January 23, 2009 at 12:24 pm

Lolly sent me!
Happy Birthday wishes and absolute joy on the impending birth in the family.

Any chance you can talk someone into a quick pedi? I know all modesty shoots out the door when you give birth (do they have to leave it open, I ask?), but I’d have salvaged a little dignity if I’d had pretty piggies in the stirups when our #2 was born. Or maybe that’s just me!

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Cynthia B. January 23, 2009 at 12:33 pm

Just came over from Lolly’s blog…Happy Birthday!
potato soup – yum. And just a little something someone said on Top Chef: everything tastes beter w/ bacon! :)

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Leigh January 23, 2009 at 1:05 pm

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I hope your day is exceedlingly happy! and… Yum, Potato Soup!

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Amber January 23, 2009 at 1:08 pm

Happy Birthday! That potato soup looks mighty tasty, of course, anything topped with bacon is automatically on my to make list! Hope your day is great!

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Misplaced Country Girl January 23, 2009 at 1:39 pm

Happy Birthday! I love your blog and I must admit I’m a lurker but, I wanted to come out today and say Happy Birthday and good luck with the baby. Thanks for they yummy recipe. I was just thinking I should make potato soup this weekend. You must have read my mind! I hope you have a good weekend and a great birthday.

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duodishes January 23, 2009 at 2:03 pm

Creamed potatoes, bacon and goat cheese–the lunch of champions!!!

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Stitchify January 23, 2009 at 2:36 pm

Happy Birthday, and happy birthing!!! GO LUCK!!! Wahoo!!!!

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Stitchify January 23, 2009 at 2:37 pm

Or rather *GOOD* LUCK! But I guess GO Luck also works! ;)
Hehehe!

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Francie Horton January 23, 2009 at 2:50 pm

another visitor from lolly’s here! just wanted to wish you a fabulous birthday!

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[email protected] January 23, 2009 at 4:17 pm

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! It sounds as if you’re about to receive the most amazing birthday gift ever. How super special! I hope you have the happiest of days, here’s to many, many more!

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Leslie January 23, 2009 at 4:37 pm

Thanks for the recipe. I love soup on cold winter nights. Oh and Happy Birthday and Happy “Birth” day.

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Fuji Mama January 23, 2009 at 4:50 pm

Thank you so much everyone!

Lolly–You are too funny and so sweet! It’s good to have friends! :-)

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Daily Spud January 23, 2009 at 5:50 pm

Potato soup is the best :) Good luck with all of the changes that are a-comin’!

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Carrie P. January 23, 2009 at 5:56 pm

Lolly sent me and I want to wish you the best birthday ever and congratulations on your soon coming baby.

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K and S January 23, 2009 at 6:23 pm

Happy Birthday! May all of your birthday wishes come true!

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Astrid January 23, 2009 at 7:21 pm

Happy Birthday! I came here via LollyChops.
:)
Hope you had a great day!

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Annie Pazoo January 23, 2009 at 7:38 pm

Happy b-day, LFM! The potato soup sounds NUM, and I’m going to make it this weekend. (Thanks to LFMM for sharing her recipe!). Have a great weekend and lots of FUN on Monday if Little Fuji doesn’t arrive earlier. How great to be able to get out of bed AND to have a new little one:-)

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Kimberlee January 23, 2009 at 8:23 pm

Happy Happy Happy day to you! :D

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Hippie Family... January 23, 2009 at 9:39 pm

Happy Birthday… Lolly made me do it.. hope all is well and you are feeling good pre-baby. :)
Tricia

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Miss Anne January 24, 2009 at 1:52 am

happiest birthday wishes and sweet thoughts for the baby!

:)

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Abigail January 24, 2009 at 6:07 am

Otanjoubi omedetou!

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Carrie January 24, 2009 at 8:09 am

Lolly sent me over to give you a great big happy birthday!! Enjoy your day!

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Merivelmoon January 24, 2009 at 10:17 am

A Happy Birthday to you Fuji! Best wishes for the birth of your little one. Congrats!!!

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Berry January 24, 2009 at 10:47 am

Happy Birthday!

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Cassie January 24, 2009 at 1:23 pm

happy birthday girl! and happy birth day to your new little one in a few days.
i just discovered lolly’s blog last week and when she suggested hopping over here i could not resist!!

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Hannah January 24, 2009 at 4:18 pm

Potato soup is definitely comfort food in my book, no matter how you serve it.

Happy birthday, by the way!

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Sara January 26, 2009 at 12:20 pm

That looks amazing. I will have to give this a try. I love potato soup.

I can’t believe I missed National Pie Day. I will have to celebrate it a few days late.

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Kevin January 26, 2009 at 9:15 pm

What a nice looking soup!

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