Bullshit makes the flowers grow

potato soup

Ok, first let me say here that all you really need for this soup is water, a little milk, a few potaoes, and some salt and pepper.  If you are absolutely broke and can’t afford anything else, then this will put a hot, nourishing soup on the table.  I’ve made it this way, and it is still delicious.  If this is what you have to do, then just omit all the other things.  Second, y’all should know that I don’t use an actual recipe, but I use whatever I happen to have on hand.  Feel free to change things up for your own tastes.  I’m going to write this down how I’m making it tonight.  Third, I cook to feed a family of five with enough leftovers for another night or two.  You can scale it down smaller for yourself, or you can make a pot as big as mine and freeze extras for another time.

You need:

• 4 or 5 lbs potatoes (I’m able to buy 10 lb bags on sale for around $3)
• 1-3 cups of frozen or fresh veggies (I’m using frozen broccoli and peas, and sliced fresh carrots)
• at least 1 cup of milk, more if you have it
• cheese (any cheese you have, a little or a lot, depending on what you have or how you like it.  Tonight I’m using some leftover bits of cheddar, pepper jack, and Velveeta.  Probably a total of 2 cups)
• salt, pepper, season salt, Greek seasoning, whatever seasoning you like the best and have on hand.  I use all of the above.

Wash and peel your potatoes, then cut them into large cubes.  Cover them with water in a pot and bring them to a gentle boil.  Let them cook about halfway, about 7-10 minutes, then add your other veggies if you have them.  Cook an extra 10 minutes or so.  You want the potatoes to be very done.  Take one out and see if you can cut it in half easily with a spoon.  If you can then it’s done. 

Pour off a little less than half of the water.  Add your milk.  If you can add extra milk then you can pour off more of the water.  Use a potato masher or a fork and mash about half of the potatoes in the pot.  Be sure that you are leaving plenty of potato chunks!  All you are trying to do is thicken the soup with the potatoes you are mashing.  Put the soup on medium heat and add your cheese if you’re using any, and season to taste.  Stir the soup until the cheese is all melted.  I serve this with crackers or yeast rolls.

I hope you like my soup!  My kids eat this like starving maniacs.  It’s a favorite at my house :)