Cooking for Me

Winter Comfort Lunch

What could be better than a nice bowl of warm potato soup you made yourself, warm, fresh, and yummy.

Put it with a crisp golden grilled cheese sandwich. Oh Boy!

30 Minute Potato Soup

32 oz. chicken broth (one box)

1 cup diced onions (frozen pre diced work well)

32 oz. bag of frozen hash brown potatoes

3 cans of creamed soup any combination of your choice

Cream of chicken, cream of celery, or cheddar cheese

1 tablespoon garlic salt

2 cups whole milk or heavy cream

Pepper to taste (maybe ½ teaspoon)

STEP #1 Put the broth, the onions, and the potatoes in a soup pot. Heat to boiling then reduce the temperature and simmer for 20 minutes.

STEP#2 In a bowl stir together the 3 cans of creamed soup, the garlic salt, the milk, and the pepper.

STEP#3 Add the creamed mixture in the bowl to the soup pot. Don’t drain the potatoes in the soup pot. Bring this mixture back up to a simmer. It won’t take long. It’s done. Enjoy.

Optional ideas … top with shredded cheese or crumbled cooked bacon

Would you like to add some crackers or some croutons?

Recycle Stale Bread for Croutons. Cut the bread into small cubes and put them into a bowl. Toss them with some olive oil and salt (or cheese) and spread on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake at 350° for about 15 minutes, stirring once or twice.

What does Crouton mean?

It’s from the French that means a small piece of toasted bread.

Grilled Cheese Sandwich There are many ways to make this sandwich. Everyone has their favorites. Here’s one way that’s a winner. You only need three things.

2 slices of hearty white or wheat sandwich bread (Or Texas toast)

Very soft butter (about 1 tablespoon)

1/2 cup shredded cheese or two slices of cheese

STEP#1 Place the bread slices on a paper towel.

STEP#2 Using a butter knife, spread both slices with the very soft butter.

STEP#3 Turn over one slice, so the buttered side is down. Add the cheese.

Place the second slice on top, buttered side up & press down gently

STEP#4 Place the sandwich in a nonstick skillet and press down lightly

with a spatula. Heat the skillet over medium low heat and cook until the first side is golden brown.

STEP#5 Use a spatula to flip* the sandwich over and press lightly. Cook

until the second side is golden brown-no more than 2 minutes.

*How to flip a sandwich!! There’s a trick!

Flipping a sandwich in a hot pan can seem scary but using this technique can make the job quite easy.

1. Use a spatula and slide it completely under the sandwich in the pan. Use a spatula as big as the bread.
2. Carefully place your fingers on top of the sandwich and lift the sandwich up and flip it over. Move your fingers out of the way and let the sandwich go to the bottom of the skillet.