[iamkeri1]

Fantastic Potato Soup

Fry three to four strips of bacon. Cut or break into bite sized pieces. Add 1/2 cup chopped onions and saute till translucent. Scrub four good sized potatoes, then cut unto very small chunks - 1/4 to 1/2 inch. Add potatoes to pan, (this can be done at any time, the onions don't have to be done.) Fry and stir until potatoes are mostly cooked- about ten minutes. Add 1 to 2 cans evaporated milk. (regular milk works too, but the soup will not be as thick.) Stir and scrape all the good stuff off the bottom and sides of the pan. Add pepper to taste and a couple of shakes of paprika (parsley if you want it) Cook for about another ten minutes. Eat and enjoy. This is for 4 servings. Just cut it in half to make less. It keeps well in the fridge for a day or so, but can't be frozen.
Variations:
1) Add an undrained can of whole kernel corn or 2 cups of fresh corn you have cut off the cob.
2) At the same time you add the milk, add an undrained can of clams for delicious clam chowder. (You can do this with or without the corn.) Once served in the bowl add a pat of butter.
3) At the same time you add the milk, add two cups of cooked and peeled shrimp, or actually any sweet cooked fish that you like, to make a yummy seafood gumbo.
4) a vegetarian version can be made by frying the onions and other ingredients in butter, but it burns easily, so it requires closer watching.To thicken any version, add instant potato flakes, or thin with milk.

Italian Tomato Spinach Soup

Three cans Campbell's Tomato Soup
Three soups cans full of milk
One 16 oz can whole tomatoes
One package frozen chopped spinach
1/4 cup chopped onions
1/2 tsp basil, oregano, garlic powder or 1 clove chopped fresh garlic.
1/8 cup grated parmesan cheese (out of the can is fine)
Optional 1 pound ground beef

Saute the onions and spices (and the ground beef - if you include ground beef, you don't need to add buttter or oil) in butter or oil till transluscent, Add spinach, add tomato soup and milk, heat and stir till smooth add 1/8 cup grated parmesan cheese and stir till just starting to boil. Put in bowls. Just before serving, sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top of each bowl and serve. This serves four to six hearty servings.

Stay warm.
Smooches,
Keri