Bacon is meat candy.

[blueerica]

I wants to go!

[cirquelover]

I scored a 6 1/2 lb slab of bacon for $7.50! Oh all the bacony goodness that will come from that

I'm going to make a big pot of Chef Oscars potato soup this weekend!

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by cirquelover

I scored a 6 1/2 lb slab of bacon for $7.50! Oh all the bacony goodness that will come from that

Sliced? Datsa a good deal!

[cirquelover]

Yes, thick sliced and hickory smoked!

I'm sure I'll freeze some of it. It was too good of a deal to pass up. Gary said he was proud of me for only buying one

[Snowflake]

Originally Posted by cirquelover

I scored a 6 1/2 lb slab of bacon for $7.50! Oh all the bacony goodness that will come from that

I'm going to make a big pot of Chef Oscars potato soup this weekend!

Recipe to share?

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by cirquelover

Yes, thick sliced and hickory smoked!

I'm sure I'll freeze some of it. It was too good of a deal to pass up. Gary said he was proud of me for only buying one

Where? We have a camping trip that this would come in handy for

[cirquelover]

It was at Safeway. I don't know if you have those down south. I asked the butcher why they were marked down, when they don't expire until May, and he said they were changing their display.

I also bought a skirt steak real cheap because it was the last one they had. Now I need to figure out what to do with it.

Snow, I will find it later and post it for you.

[Morrigoon]

Where'd you get that?

[cirquelover]

Recipe to share, copied from the email, with personal tips at the end;

Loaded Baked Potato Cheese Soup
Yield: six 8-oz portions

Ingredients:
4 large Russet Potatoes (peeled and small diced)
4 med Red Potatoes (small diced)
6 oz (2 large stalks) Celery (small diced)
6 oz (1 large or 2 small) Carrots (peeled and small diced)
1 med yellow Onion (small diced)
2 oz(4 T.) unsalted Butter
1 lb. bacon (rough chopped) (*tip: place slices of bacon in the freezer to make it easier to cut. Will slip less)
16 oz Chicken stock or vegetable stock
32 oz Heavy Whipping Cream
2 oz(1/4 cup) Flour
1 oz vegetable oil
Salt/ pepper to taste
* Small dice = ¼ in. x ¼ in.

Garnish with these items if desired:
Chives (chopped)
Bacon Bits
Sour Cream
Cheddar and Mozzarella Cheese (shredded)


Procedure:
1. Place stock pot, (6-8 quart pot) over medium heat. Add the vegetable oil, butter and bacon. Start rendering the bacon (process of releasing the fat through cooking). The bacon will start to release its fat. Do not allow it to burn.
2. Cook bacon till crispy, remove and set aside on a paper towel; leaving the fat from the bacon in the pan. Add onions, carrots, and celery. Traditionally these 3 items are called the MIREPOIX. Sweat the mirepoix until the onions turn translucent. Add potatoes and cook for 4 minutes. Add the flour to make roux. Cook roux until blond in color, (about 5 to 7 minutes), while stirring constantly. Add chicken stock and half of the bacon back into the pan. (Reserve the rest of the bacon for garnish.) Seasoned with salt and pepper.
3. Turn the heat to medium high, bring the soup up to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes or until the potatoes are soft and tender. Mash some of the potatoes for thicker, creamier texture. Add whipping cream and simmer for 5 minutes.
4. You can adjust the thickness by adding water or stock for a thinner soup. It should have a creamy consistency. Adjust your seasonings.
5. Garnish with your desired toppings.

Created by Sous Chef Mhike Hugo

My tips- In step 2 it says to add potatoes to mirepoix before making the roux. I have never tried to make a roux with potatos in it so I made the roux with the mirepoix and added the potatoes later. It seems to me the potatoes would just "hold on to" the flour.
I also needed more chicken broth than was called for. It was too thick to come to a simmer very well. I find cooking it longer at a little lower temp is better also.

[cirquelover]

Originally Posted by Morrigoon

Where'd you get that?

Both came from Safeway. It was a very worthwhile shopping trip, even if the price of milk has shot up crazily!