Family Recipe: Potato Cheese Soup

Abby H.

When I was a kid there was a local restaurant called Piret’s. They served delicious, fresh French food that was unpretentious. One of my favorite dishes to order was their Potato Cheese Soup. They published a cookbook, which my mom bought, and while she cooked a lot of things from the cookbook, the one that was most often made was their Potato Cheese Soup. In fact, to this day when you place the book on the counter, it opens to that recipe.

Today I present my take on Potato Cheese Soup. It’s easy to make, it’s filling, and it tastes sooooo good. Like most soups, it’s better the next day. It freezes well.

You can make it vegetarian by using veggie broth/stock. I do not recommend making it with non-dairy cheese (sorry vegans). You can make it Gluten Free by using GF 1-for-1 flour.

Potato Cheese Soup

Ingredients:

  • 8-10 cups chicken broth or stock (I recommend using stock-homemade is best, but I’m being extra)
  • 2 large yellow or sweet onions, peeled and diced
  • 4 Tablespoons butter, divided in half
  • 1/4 cup white wine (dry- don’t use sweet or cooking wine)
  • 4 large potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 2 Tablespoons AP flour
  • 1.5 cups whole milk
  • 4 cups cheese (I like medium cheddar, but you could use colby, or a sharper cheddar)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • salt and pepper to taste

Directions

  1. In a large stockpot, melt 2 Tablespoons of butter and saute onions until clear and slightly browned.
  2. Add potatoes and cook for 5-10 minutes until potatoes are slightly translucent.
  3. Deglaze the pan with white wine, make sure to scrape off all the yummy brown bits from the bottom of the pan.
  4. Add all of the chicken broth/stock and bay leaves. Cover pot and cook on low for 20-30 minutes, until potatoes are cooked through.
  5. In a smaller pot, melt remaining 2 T. of butter. Sprinkle melted butter with AP flour and stir until a paste forms over a low heat. The paste should brown slightly- DON’T BURN IT!
  6. Pour milk into the flour/butter paste and whisk briskly. You do not want lumps. Cook over low heat until the mixture thickens. This may take a few minutes. As the mixture thickens and there are no lumps, add the cheese slowly, about 1/2 cup at a time, until it is incorporated/melted into the sauce. Once the sauce with complete, remove from heat.
  7. Add the cheese sauce to the soup mixture slowly, stirring constantly. Once it is fully mixed, remove the bay leaves, season with salt and pepper to taste.
  8. This step is optional but recommended. Remove from heat. Using an immersion blender (like this one) puree the soup. Put back on the heat, and allow to simmer without the lid for another 20-30 minutes. This will give the soup some time to thicken up.
  9. Serve Soup hot with crusty French bread. Resist the urge not to eat it all in one sitting.

Makes 6-8 Servings

11/2/2020 Weekly Meal Plan

Abby H.

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpgI’ve started doing weekly meal planning on Sundays. It’s easier to do it while I’m writing up the weekly calendar/schedule and prepping the snack box for the week. I didn’t get a chance to type this up last night. The time change kinda kicked all of our butts, combined with all of the Halloween shenanigans. Socially distanced shenanigans!

The kids and I hit up the grocery store yesterday afternoon and picked up some stuff that we were out of and are consume daily.

Last week I made soup twice, so we’ve got some leftovers in the freezer. I’ll be dipping into the stash for dinner one night this week for soup. And I made a frittata late last week for lunch, so we’ve got leftovers of that for dinner tonight!

Thanks to some local deals, offers, and the school lunches the kids bring home, I have been able to keep our grocery budget to $60 per week for the past MONTH! It’s amazing. The extra money is going into our holiday savings account.

If you have kids between 2-18, check with your local school to see if they are offering free lunches and/or breakfasts. You can also check the USDA Website– but it might be a little out of date.

For those of you that are new to meal planning, I’ve got an easy 101 style post here with super easy tips and steps. After you get that down, here is info about batch or freezer cooking.

I’ve gotten a pretty good inventory of the pantry, freezer, and fridge done (I update it after every shopping trip), so I’m able to plan meals and use up what we’ve got with little waste. If you are looking for kitchen inventory printable, I like the kitchen inventories here. They are great printables.

I only post our dinner plans for the week, because our other meals are usually the same each day.

Breakfast: Coffee with 1/2 and 1/2  for me, and pancakes or something along those lines for the kids (they love the Kodiak Cakes Mix).  I also keep sandwich Ziploc bags of other frozen fruit on hand to make the kids smoothies when they request them (a few times per week). Berries, peaches, and mangos are pretty popular. recently the Big Kid has been on a protein shake kick in the AM. I’ll be posting the recipe for his current favorite this coming week.

Lunches will be whatever the kids want for the time being. The big kid has lunch at school, so it’s whatever he chooses from the lunch box in the cupboard, plus some fruit and juice or milk. Since the little girl is in the morning cohort at school, she has lunch at home. Buttered noodles, yogurt, apple slices, and a popsicle are her go-to lunch.

Usually, I do a crockpot meal on Mondays, but now that we are home all the time, we’ve been having an odd combination of fully home-cooked, scratch meals, and frozen entrees and veggies. I have been posting our meal plans on Instagram too- As well as pics of stuff we are doing to keep busy.

  • Sunday:  Leftovers
  • Monday:  Salad and leftover veggie and cheese fritatta
  • Tuesday: Veggie Nuggets, Wings, and Fruit (Big kid has OT in the late afternoon, so it’s always a quick dinner on Tuesday)
  • Wednesday:  Beans, Rice, Veggies, & Quesadillas
  • Thursday: Veggie Soup & Garlic Bread
  • Friday:  Pizza Night!
  • Saturday: Pancakes, Eggs, & Fruit

Please stay safe you guys! The sooner we flatten the curve, the sooner life can go back to normal- whatever that means.

Talk Back: What are you cooking for dinner this week?

My Favorite Shirts on Sale at Cents of Style!!

Abby H.

Boyfriend Tee ** This post also contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

I am so excited. These are seriously my favorite shirts. I am wearing one right now that I tie dyed.

This week only: My favorite boyfriend tee in both the short sleeve (JAGGER for $7.99) and long sleeve version (JOANNA for $9.99) + 2 other styles. To score this deal use coupon code: FAVETEE at checkout.

This deal is only good 11/2/20-11/8/20 at midnight! these shirts come in sizes S-3X and tons of colors. I’ve already ordered… a few.

Favorite TopsWhat I love about these shirts is that they are long, and look great with pants, skirts, shorts- layer them for fall, or wear them alone. Each of these four styles is incredibly versatile.

These shirts make great gifts too! Check out all four styles here and let me know in the comments below which style is your favorite!

Boyfriend Tee

Boyfriend Tee

Favorite Tops

Jagger

Holiday Shopping Alert: $50 Penzeys Gift Card $35! +Much More!

Abby H.

Got a cook in your life? Someone who loves to experiment with flavors? Check out these incredible deals from Penzey’s, but these deals will be over tomorrow- Shop now!!

Here’s your one chance this season to get our best of gifts for less than half the price. Currently, these are in stock everywhere. Don’t risk it, order today!

And there’s more. Free $7.95 Choose Love Mug with any purchase while supplies last. And both Justice and Revolution, a combined $9.78 value, free as well with any purchase. No codes are needed for the Gift Cards, Boxes or Mugs; those are automatic for everyone. For the very tasty Justice and Revolution, once you have any spending at all enter Vote in the apply code box at checkout. No need to place them in your basket, the code will do that for you and for free.

So Get shopping!! If you live near a Penzey’s location, most are open for touchless pickup. Give them a call and start shopping!

99 Cents Only has Deals for Thanksgiving (and a Coupon)

Abby H.

Y’all know I love 99 Cents Only,  and I have for years. I’ve written about my top 10 deals from 99 Cents only before here, and now I’m happy to report that you can celebrate Thanksgiving with an incredible feast frugally from our peeps at 99 Cents Only!

From stuffing, potatoes, cranberries, salads, yams, gravy (canned or pouch mix), canned veggies, cream of mushroom soup (for the green bean casserole), crispy french fried onions, and dessert options for your feast to decor for the table and the rest of the house, 99 Cents Only has you covered!

And this week, there is a coupon to help you save a bit more- Click here for 1 free item (priced up to .99) when you purchase $15 or more. Exclusions apply, the link has them all listed on the coupon.

And don’t forget that you can use cashback apps for purchases at 99 Cents Only! My two faves are Fetch Rewards and Checkout51. Learn more and find links here.

Important information about SavingStar

Abby H.

Hey Gang- I opened my email to discover this news: SavingStar is closing it’s doors November 30, 2020. I don’t use Savingstar much to be honest. It’s mostly for stuff that I don’t buy or at stores I don’t shop at too often.

But, it’s not all bad news, check this out, since Savingstar is owned by Coupons.com, you can download the Coupons.com app and continue to save on basically the same items as before!

With the new Coupons.com app, you can save on all your favorites with cash back offers — these are much like the rebates you’re used to, but better:

  • Use them at ANY retailer that provides itemized receipts.
  • Skip the receipts and link your store loyalty cards for automatic cash back (1,000s of stores to choose from).
  • Get cashback with NO minimum balance — your money will go straight to PayPal, and you can grab it whenever you need it.

I downloaded the app this morning, and it’s nothing too spectacular, but if you really liked Savingstar, the coupons.com app will be a good fit. It’s basically the same offers, but at any store that offers an  itemized receipt (good for those of us who shop at store like Grocery Outlet and 99 Cents Only).

You can find the Coupons.com app wherever you get your apps.

 

Talk Back: Which app is your favorite for earning money?

10/30/2020 Friday Freebies and Deals!

Abby H.
bright boxes

This Friday’s freebies and deals have some awesome goodies! It’s Halloween weekend, so get ready for all sorts of spooky freebies and deals!

As always, if you find an amazing deal or freebie, please share it in the comments below.

Freebies:

Free Boo Adventure Drive-Thru Trick-or-Treating at Target
Free Keds Stickers
Free Face Mask
Free Medela Breastfeeding Product Sample Box
Free K-Beauty Products
Free Hot or Iced Coffee at Circle K
Free Sample of Yes Life CBD Oil & Hemp CBD Pain Relief Cream
Free Products for SwagBag Tastemakers
Free Medium Fries w/ Any $1 Purchase at McDonalds – Every Friday
Free 5pc. Chicken Nuggets at Jack in the Box
Free Genexa Kids Allergy Medicine
Free Sample of Daiwa Krill Oil
Free Phocus Naturally Energizing Sparkling Water
Free Sample of Smashbox Primer
Free Jar of Barilla Vero Gusto Pasta Sauce
Free Burger on Your Birthday at Ruby Tuesday

 

Deals:

 

Tomorrow Only: Get a FREE Coke Energy

Abby H.

Woo Hoo! This deal popped into my inbox a few minutes ago! I live right across the street from a retailer, so I am definitely stoked for this freebie!

2020 is getting even longer this weekend with Daylight Savings Time. Give yourself the boost you need by getting a FREE can of Coke Energy tomorrow, October 30th! Pick one up at a store near you – check out participating stores here.

Locations include:

  • Circle K
  • Kum & Go
  • Pilot Flying J
  • TA
  • Holiday
  • Kwik Trip
  • MAPCO
  • Murphy USA
  • and More!

At some retailers you must claim the free Coke Energy within the retailer’s mobile app before redeeming in-store.

San Diego, CA Area Residents: FREE Produce and Perishable Groceries- 10/30/2020

Abby H.

Every Friday in October, our friends over at Faith Chapel understand that with all that’s going on in the world that some of us still need help finding healthy food during this difficult time. And that’s it not always safe for us to go to the store or hit up a farmers market.

Distribution is happening this every Friday in October (tomorrow is the last- I will find out if there will be more and update the blog), beginning at 10:00am.

This is a drive-thru style event, so you don’t have to leave your vehicles. There is no paperwork, no questions asked. Show up, pop your trunk, and fresh food is loaded for you, and you are on your way!

Here is a picture of what was available in previous weeks! Sometimes you get produce, sometimes is eggs, milk, and other dairy products and meat- it changes weekly!

Faith Chapel is located at 9400 Campo Road Spring Valley, CA 91977

How To Recoup Bank and Credit Card Fees

Abby H.

If you use credit cards or ATMs, you have probably been charged fees. Finance Charge fees and Out of Network ATM fees are a few ways that financial institutions make money by loaning us or handling our money.

In the past there was no way of avoiding paying those charges- once you paid them, the money was gone.

Now there are websites, apps, and programs that can help consumers recoup the fees that they have paid out. Here are a couple that I have looked into or used.

Harvest links your bank accounts and credit card accounts to their AI and once every 90 days you can request their program contact those institutions on your behalf to credit previously paid fees. Harvest takes a portion of those fees. Harvest was not able to get any money back on my behalf. I have only been using it for about 50 days. Once my 90 days are up and I can re-negotiate, I will try it again.

Cushion: I looked into Cushion, but did not use it, because it costs on average $50/year. I don’t have a lot of outstanding debt, so there was no way that I could save that much from their AI negotiations. Also, there is this:

Basically, you don’t get the money credited back to you, you earn “rewards” through Cushion’s program. A quick internet search leads me to believe that it’s mostly Amazon Gift Cards, which as much as I love Amazon Gift Cards is not what I want. I want cold hard cash in my hot little paws.

I recommend that everyone look at their bank account at least monthly (I do it once a week when I balance the checkbook-yes, I do that) and look for any fees or charges that may not look familiar. Doing the same with your credit card statement when it comes as well is a great idea. Recently I caught a $90 charge that was fraudulent. A quick call to American Express and I filed a dispute, the charge was removed and all is well!

If you find a lot of ATM usage fees on your bank statement, download your banks app to locate fee-free ATMs. My credit union has fee-free ATMs at 7/11’s!

Note that I use the term Bank- I use this interchangeably for credit union, as that’s what I use. I have been a member of a credit union for almost 30 years. There is no monthly fee for having a checking or savings account, and I have my car loan through them as well (the rate is really low). Credit Unions are great because they offer low rates, and no or low account fees. And usually, membership is free.

If you have used a service like Harvest or Cushion with success, I’d love to hear your results! Leave a comment below.