Baked Potato Soup

I don't usually think to make a hearty soup in the middle of June, but the weather here has been wet and frigid. Today just screamed for this yummy soup!

4 large potatoes, cooled, peeled and cubed
2/3 c butter
2/3 c flour
3/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp white pepper
6 cups whole milk
8 oz sour cream
1/4 cup green onions
10 slices bacon, cooked and crumbed
1 cup grated cheddar cheese

In a large saucepan heat butter, flour, salt and pepper over medium heat. Whisk until smooth and bubbly. Cook one minute. Gradually whisk in milk and add potato cubes. Bring to a low boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in sour cream. Garnish individual servings with onions, bacon and cheese.

Slow Cooked Beef Stew

1 onion, chopped
4-5 large potatoes, peeled and diced
4 carrots, sliced (I almost always use about 1/2 lb whole baby carrots)
3 ribs celery, sliced
2 lbs stew meat (I used 2 top sirloin steaks and cut them into bite-size pieces)
2 Tbs sugar
2 tsp salt
2 Tbs instant tapioca (you can grind it in a coffee grinder or with a mortar and pestle for a smoother texture)
1/2 tsp pepper
3 cups vegetable juice (I use low-sodium V-8)

Place onion in the bottom of the slow cooker. Add the remaining vegetables and stew meat. Combine sugar, salt, tapioca and pepper. Sprinkle over meat and veggies. Pour in vegetable juice. Stir gently taking care to leave onion layer on the bottom so they'll cook better. Cook on LOW 8-10 hours.

(I have pictures of this recipe but I'm unable to locate my camera...dang kids!)

Gwen's Original Corn Chowder

3/4 c butter
1 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
3/4 c flour
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper
3 potatoes, cooked, peeled and cubed
1 lb bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 pkg frozen corn, thawed
4 1/2 c milk
1 c chicken broth
1 tsp parsley flakes
1 c cheddar cheese, grated
1/2 c sour cream

In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; sweat until onion is clear. Whisk in flour, salt and pepper. Stir until smooth. Gradually add milk and broth while stirring. Add in potatoes, bacon, corn and parsley flakes. Continue to heat over medium heat, stirring frequently until chowder has thickened, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat. Whisk in grated cheese and sour cream, stir until cheese has melted.