Baked Potato Soup

For those with extra russet potatoes in storage: I tried this recipe from www.verybestbaking.com last night. It was really easy and yummy.

Ingredients:

• 2 large or 3 medium baking potatoes, baked or microwaved
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 can (14.5 fl. oz.) chicken broth
• 1 can (12 fl. oz.) evaporated milk
  
• Cooked and crumbled bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, sliced green onions (optional)

Directions:
Melt butter in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion; saute, for 1 to 2 minutes or until tender. Stir in flour. Gradually stir in broth and evaporated milk. Scoop potato pulp from 1 potato (reserve potato skin); mash. Add pulp to broth mixture. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture comes just to a boil. Dice remaining potato skin and potato(es); add to soup. Heat through. Season with salt and ground black pepper. Top each serving with bacon, cheese and green onions, if desired.

Festive Fudge

I make this every year for Christmas. I love it because it is easy and tastes great. I will generally use milk chocolate chips but any flavor chips are fine. If you would like to do a chocolate peanut butter fudge just replace butter with the peanut butter. Don't add more than 2 T or it will not set properly.

Ingredients:

12 oz chocolate chips
1 can sweetened condensed milk
2 T butter
1 T vanilla
1/4 cup nuts any flavor (optional)

Directions:

Place ingredients in a microwave safe bowl. Place in microwave for 1 minute on high. Take out and stir. Then if needed place in microwave for 30 seconds. Spread mixture in a greased (I use pam spray) dish and cool. Enjoy.