Loaded Baked Potato Soup made in a Vitamix Blender

As you can see in my prior post, I love my Vitamix and have been using it so much lately.  I have been using for Smoothies in the morning and Soups for lunch.  My newest soup that I just love was adapted from a Vitamix recipe.  I was super easy, fast and very tasty.  I knew I was going to be making this so I baked a few extra potatoes the previous night since we were having baked potatoes.  I do notice that when I do plan ahead and do some prep work the previous day, that I stick to the plan and don't have something unhealthy for breakfast or lunch.  Also to cut down the time on the running time of the blender I do use steamed veggies and or hot liquids.  It is not necessary, the Vitamix will cook it up but I just like to cut down the time of the blender noise.

So please see my Vitamix Baked Potato Soup Recipe below, it is a great beginner Vitamix Recipe.  Please let mw know if you try it and how you liked it.

VITAMIX LOADED BAKED POTATO SOUP

In your Vitamix place:
~1 baked potato (peeled, you will need an additional potato but that goes in later)
~1/4 onion, steamed or sautéed (I placed mine in a covered bowl and microwaved for 70 seconds)
~1/3 cup cheddar cheese
~2 cups milk ( I also microwaved this for a couple minutes to get it hot)
~1 tbsp Becel (which I will be leaving out next time, not needed)
~1/2 tsp salt
~1/2 tsp Rosemary Leaves

So, start the blender and turn it to high.  Let is run for about 4 minutes.  If you used hot liquid it should be steaming by now.  I you didn't heat the liquids it will need to run for a few more minutes, be careful of the steam.

When is is hot turn it down to variable 3 and add 1/4 cup pre-cooked bacon and your remaining potato. Run it until it has the consistency you like.

Pour into bowls and top as you see fit, I toped mine with more bacon, shredded cheddar cheese and green onions.  You may want to add additional salt and pepper.

It is yummy and perfect for a winter's day lunch.  This recipe is freezable incase you make too much but this recipe only makes about 4 cups total.

Enjoy, cheers.

Vitamix Love

Many years ago my husband bought a Vitamix blender after watching a demo at Costco.  When I found out how much it was I honestly was pretty mad but we still got it.   I never watched the demo so I really had no idea what it could do, so I missed out for years on what it could do for our family.  I continued to use our regular blender and it really did just sit in a box downstairs for a year before I tool it out of the box.  One day a couple years ago, my friend was talking about Vitamix and all that it could do and that she and her daughter really wanted one.  I say I think I have that and looked in the cupboard and showed her.  She ended up getting one and she brought it over to show me how to use it.  The first thing was she made a couple soups, I was sold.  Raw vegetables going into a blender and turning into a soup that was yummy and easy, love it.  I have since tried and played with many recipes. Love looking at You Tube videos of people using them, getting new recipes/ideas.  I have in no way used my Vitamix to it's full potential but am getting there.  This week alone I have used it 1 to 2 times daily.  I will start posting the soup recipes this week my favourites are Thai Butternut Squash and Loaded Baked Potato Soup.

Cheers:)

Pulled Pork and Ciabatta

Today for dinner we had pulled pork and ciabatta bread.  The pulled pork was from Costco:

The flavours were really good.  A little too saucy for me but it was quick and easy since it was just my daughter and me home for dinner tonight.

I wanted to use the ciabatta that I made earlier today with it.  I think the ciabatta was a little too thick crusted and heavy for this type of meal.  Just made it really messy but the flavours were great together.  Next time I have this pulled pork I will used just a regular dinner roll so that it is softer to soak up the sauce.

I hope you enjoy this post, I plan on blogging more regular now.  Let's get cookin'.

Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day

I have recently tried two recipes from the Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day cook book.  The concept is that you make a large batch of wet dough that will keep for two weeks in your refrigerator.

First I made pitas that were super good and easy.  I just need to make them thinner and more uniform size next time.  They were great with homemade Hummus and Tzatziki.

 Today I made a batch of Ciabatta.  We are a small family of three so I only made four.  Super quick.  Take out dough, shape and let rest 20 minutes.  Then bake in preheated over for 20 minutes.

When my daughter got home we had to test one.

 The texture was great and the crust very nice, thick like it should be.

 Add some butter and they were awesome.  Will defiantly make again.  Using remaining three for dinner tonight.

Will post about dinner later.  Take a look at their website, it has great information.  I have their other book but haven't tried any of the recipes yet.  I am going to order their new book today:)