That's a Crock of {Baked Potato} Soup!

The last 48 hours have been harrowing *wheezes out a tired sigh and takes a nip of el tequila* but this recipe success was the exception! ps. Thank you to everyone for your insights and stories on doing away with the pacifier ♥ Ot ended up with terrible gas last night, he was tossing and turning and just. plain. sick. He finally ended up in our bed and we felt like jerks making such a night be his first night without the soothing pacifier he was used to, so a little after midnight (after mom & dad putting up the good fight for hours) we caved and gave him a pacifier. This morning he woke up feeling better and found that the Pacifier Fairy had left him a Little People 3-ring circus & train set (seriously this thing retails for like $150 and I got it at Lil Traders for $12) and he was happy. Happy! He went to bed tonight with just one paccy mention (not really a request, more like he was reminding himself that the paccies are gone now) and has been sleeping peacefully for hours. Hopefully that's The End of the pacifier drama.

Onto the Soup!
(Note: I'm giving both the vegetarian and non-veg recipe below. I personally think they taste exactly the same. That's all.)

Crock Pot O' Soup. Here's What You Need...

- 3 1/2 lbs potatoes (don't peel them, skins are good for you!) cut into 1" pieces
- 2-3 small sweet red peppers, seeded and chopped up
- 16oz frozen broccoli
- 1/2 tsp dried rosemary
- 4 cups "No Chicken Broth" by imagine foods (not sponsored, it's just the only veggie broth I use, amazing!)
      - OR 4 cups chicken broth or really any veggie broth
- 1/2 cup half-and-half
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 to 2 cups water
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 4 green onions, chopped
- 2-4 veggie bacon strips (I used morningstar) broiled til crispy, then crumbled
      - OR 2-4 strips bacon, crumbled
- shredded cheddar & jack cheese blend (to taste)

Crock Pot O' Soup. Here's What You Do...

- Add potatoes through broth (above) to a slow cooker and cook on high for about 3 hours
- Then use a masher or hand mixer to mash/blend the veggies to a desired consistency, leaving some chunks but making generally smooth
- Add to the pot half-and-half through green onions but set aside just a few onions as garnish, stir (as you add the water do so in 1/2 cup increments til you get your desired consistency)
- Ladle into bowls, top with more onions, bacon crumbles, add'l sour cream, and cheese

This is easy comfort food at its finest and tastes JUST like a yummy baked potato. We made ours with completely organic ingredients which always feels really healthy. I modified this recipe A LOT from a Family Circle recipe.

Let me know if you try this! I seriously love soup. It's almost pornographic how much I love soup. And this version got the husband-who-doesn't-like-food-that-tastes-healthy as well as the picky-toddler seal of approval. Winning!

xo,
LM