5-Star Ham and Potato Soup

I found this soup on a popular recipe sharing site - it had earned the highest rating of 5 stars after more than 6,000 reviews so naturally, I had to try it.  I prepared the first batch as the recipe was written and it was quite tasty, but I knew I could get even more flavor by tweaking here and there - so that's the version I'll share with you today.  The family loved it (even my picky eater), and my neighbor asked for the recipe after she enjoyed 2 bowls.  This one's a winner folks.      

5-Star Ham and Potato Soup

Printable Recipe

serves 6-8

Ingredients

• 4 cups peeled and diced thin-skinned red or white potatoes (not baking potatoes such as Idaho or Russet)

• 4 cups very flavorful homemade chicken stock

• 1 tablespoon dried parsley

• 1 bay leaf

• 6 tablespoons butter, divided

• 1/3 cup minced celery

• 1/3 cup finely minced onion

• 3-4 cups diced cooked ham

• 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour

• 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt

• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

• 2 cups whole milk

• Optional Garnish: fresh parsley, chives, scallions, cheese, bacon, crackers, croutons, etc

Directions

1. Place the diced potatoes, dried parsley, bay leaf, and chicken stock in a medium saucepan.

2. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium and cook until potatoes are tender, 15-20 minutes.

3. Remove saucepan from heat; do not drain.

4. In a large skillet, saute the ham, onions, and celery in 1 tablespoon of butter until the vegetables are soft and translucent.

5. Add the sautéed ingredients to the potato and chicken stock mixture.

6. In the same large skillet, melt the remaining 5 tablespoons butter; add the four, salt, and pepper and whisk for 1-2 minutes to cook the raw flavor out of the flour.

7. Slowly add the milk and whisk to combine; continue whisking until the mixture thickens and begins to bubble; pour mixture into the saucepan that contains the ham and potatoes; stir to combine. Garnish and serve.

adapted from allrecipes.com

Stuffed Peppers

I have been making these stuffed peppers for as long as I can remember.  The original recipe began as one from the Better Homes and Garden Cookbook, which was the only cookbook my mother owned when I was growing up.  Like most of you probably do, I tweaked and revised the recipe through the years.  My family loves them.  For a fast stove-top version, see my notes below.

Okay, let's make some stuffed peppers.

Start by prepping your peppers.  You don't have to clean the ribs out if you don't want to, but I like to make room for as much yummy filling as possible.  

I use a melon baller to scrape the ribs out - so much easier than trying to use a knife.

See.  Easy peasy.

That took me no more than 5 seconds.

I mince the pepper tops and add them to the filling.

I like extra sharp cheddar, but feel free to use your favorite cheese.  Nestle your peppers in an oven-safe container that will hold them upright.  I used a cast iron skillet today, but sometimes I use a pie plate, a casserole dish, or even a jumbo muffin tin.

Oops, I forgot to get a pic of the cooked ground beef before I added the crushed tomatoes (envision cooked ground beef with flecks of onion and tri-colored peppers).  Now we add the crushed tomatoes, water, rice, and various seasonings.

This is what the mixture will look like before the rice is cooked.

And here is what it looks like after the rice is cooked.  Stir in some of the cheese and we'll be ready to stuff the peppers.

Are you getting hungry yet?

Oh my.  Top them with cheese and pop them into the oven for 20 minutes.

Here we go.  I wish you could smell them!!  My hungry brood is dying to dig in... gotta run!

Items used to make this recipe:

(affiliate links)

• Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook https://amzn.to/346AfsK

• really good crushed tomatoes https://amzn.to/3tKweBB

• mix and chop tool https://amzn.to/3DArkxy

• enameled cast iron braiser https://amzn.to/3cWunmt

• Mellon ball tool https://amzn.to/3Nx5r70

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Stuffed Peppers

Printable Recipe

makes 6

Ingredients

• 6 large bell peppers, any color (prepared as directed below)

• 2 pounds ground beef (or ground turkey)

• 1 cup chopped onions

• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

• 1/2 teaspoon pepper

• 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes (or diced tomatoes with their juice)

• 1 teaspoon dried basil

• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

• 3 tablespoons A-1 steak sauce (or Worcestershire sauce)

• 1 cup water

• 1 cup long grain white rice

• 6 ounces shredded cheddar cheese (or any good melting cheese)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375F.

2. To prepare peppers, cut tops off and reserve.

3. Clean inside peppers by removing seeds and ribs; place in an oven safe pan or casserole dish.

4. Mince the pepper tops; discard the inedible stems.

5. In a large saute pan, saute minced pepper tops and onions in a little olive oil until translucent.

6. Add ground beef, salt, and pepper; cook until beef is brown and cooked through, stirring occasionally to break up clumps.

7. Drain beef if necessary and add the crushed tomatoes, basil, oregano, A-1, water, and rice; stir well to combine.

8. Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat to simmer and cover until rice is soft and has absorbed most of the liquid; about 20 minutes.

9. Remove from heat and stir in all but half of the shredded shredded cheese.

10. Spoon mixture into the prepared peppers (extra filling can be stuffed into the spaces between the peppers).

11. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese on top of peppers.

12. Place on middle rack in oven and bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and starts to turn bubbly and brown.

Notes  

• If you want smaller portions, cut the peppers in half lengthwise and place them cut-side-up on a rimmed half sheet pan before stuffing and baking.  This filling can also be used to stuff cabbage leaves.  Just fill and roll steamed cabbage leaves, then cover with tomato sauce and heat through.

• For a fast "skillet dinner" version of this recipe, don't plan to stuff the peppers.  Instead, dice the peppers and add them to the meat mixture at the same time you add the rice.  When the rice is cooked, sprinkle the cheese on top, cover and heat just until the cheese melts.  Serve straight from the skillet.