Thursday, November 19, 2009

Baked Potato Soup Recipe

I discovered this scrumptious recipe a couple weeks ago from COOKING LIGHT. I was shocked at how good it was. It certainly didn't taste like a "lightened version" of my beloved baked potato soup. Without further ado, here's the recipe:

Yield: 8 servings (serving size: about 1 1/2 cups soup, 1 1/2 teaspoons cheese, 1 1/2 teaspoons onions)

Ingredients

  • 4 baking potatoes (about 2 1/2 pounds)
  • 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 6 cups 2% reduced-fat milk
  • 1 cup (4 ounces) reduced-fat shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup reduced-fat sour cream
  • 3/4 cup chopped green onions, divided
  • 6 bacon slices, cooked and crumbled (i used a little extra! hah)

Preparation

Preheat oven to 400°.

Pierce potatoes with a fork; bake at 400° for 1 hour or until tender. Cool. Peel potatoes; coarsely mash (I just broke them apart with a fork). Discard skins.

Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Place flour in a large Pot or Dutch Oven; gradually add milk, stirring with a whisk until blended. Cook over medium heat until thick and bubbly (about 8 minutes). Add mashed potatoes, 3/4 cup cheese, salt, and pepper, stirring until cheese melts. Remove from heat.

Stir in sour cream and 1/2 cup onions. Cook over low heat 10 minutes or until thoroughly heated (do not boil). Sprinkle each serving with cheese, onions, and bacon.


Monday, November 16, 2009

Meal Plan Monday

Monday: Taco Salad

Tuesday: Pulled BBQ Chicken Sandwiches (Crockpot Meal)... Bible Study night

Wednesday: Grilled Marinated Chicken Kabobs, Caesar Salad (Aunt Kathy's Homemade Dressing- THE best), & Lemon Butter Orzo Rice.

Thursday: Leftovers (Mike is Umpiring)

Friday: Rancho Chicos (My in-laws are coming in town for the night & we all love Mexican food!)

Saturday: Teryaki marinated London Broil with a Baked Potato Bar (SC, Butter, Cheese, Bacon) & Caesar Salad

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

What's been happening (Photo Edition)

Okay, so i've been a terrible blogger as of lately... here's an overview of what's been happening in the last few months of my life:

A couple Renovations to our house:

New backsplash in the kitchen...



















-Knocked down a wall... (THANK YOU UNCLE BRUCE & DAN for the help!)























-Bought our little Puppy, Maddie...




















- Labor Day Road Trip to Birmingham with the Keslers























- NYC girls trip :)... saw Jimmy Fallon & also Guy Fieri!!!!!

Monday, November 2, 2009

Meal Plan Monday!

I'm back after a lil' hiatus from the blogging world... I've seriously missed my meal plans (They make like SO much easier!):

Monday: hitting the gym after work... then doing the grocery shopping for the week so we will probably pick up a Rotisserie Chicken and some veggies... Easy Peasy...

Tuesday: Grilled Lime/Garlic- Marinated Chicken over Salad (Lettuce, Craisins, Chopped Pecans, Blue Cheese Crumbles) with some homemade Honey-Lime Vinaigrette (Honey, Lime Juice, Garlic, Olive Oil, Red Wine Vinegar)... YUMMMM I can't get enough lime juice these days (no- i'm not preggers)

Wenesday: Grilled Steaks, Sauted Mushrooms & Onions, and a Greek Side Salad (Lett/ Tom/ Cucumber/ Red Onion w/ Greek Vinaigrette).

Thursday: The Wiley's take on Casa Cuba's 'Chicken Julianna'. Mike always helps me with this one... (Chicken Saute'd with peppers and onions in lime juice and garlic -Surprise Surprise haha) served with Black Beans and Rice

Friday: Left-Overs (the restaurant)... we have a giftcard!!!

Saturday / Sunday... ??? My mom is in town for the weekend so we'll see :)