Chunky Potato Soup

4-5 Russet baking potatoes                   1/8 tsp black pepper
3 Tblspn butter                                      4 cups light cream
1/2 cup chopped onion                          1 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup chopped celery                          1 1/2 cup shredded montery jack cheese
3 Tblspn flour                                         8 slices turkey bacon
1/2 tsp dried thyme                                 2 Tblspn green onion (sliced thin)
1 clove garlic, finely chopped                  1/4 cup sour cream (optional)
1/4 tsp salt

Poke holes in potatoes and microwave (or bake for 1 hr at 400 degree).  Peel and cut potatoes.
In a large heavy saucepan or dutch oven melt butter.  Add onion, celery and garlic.  Sautee till crisp-tender.  Stir in flour, thyme, salt and pepper.  Add a light cream and cook until it thickens and become bubbly.  Add cut potates, 1 cup of cheese and broth.  Stir until cheese melts.  Scoop 1/2 of mixture out and put in blender to puree.  Pour into to dutch oven.  Add bacon stir and simmer.    Serve hot and garnish with remaining bacon , cheese and green onion and sour cream.

Spaghetti Carbonara

I needed something real quick to make for dinner and had these ingredients in the house. 

 

 

1 lb of spaghetti                                               1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tblsp olive oil                                                1 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
6-8 slices of turkey bacon                                salt  & pepper
4 eggs

Bring a large pot lightly salted water water to boil.  Add pasta, return to boil and cook until tender.
Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a heavy bottom skillet.  Add the bacon and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, for 8-10 mins.
Beat the eggs with the cream in a small bowl an season with salt & pepper.  Drain the pasta and return it to the pan.  Turn the contents of the skillet, then add the egg mixture and half the Parmesan cheese.  Stir well, then transfe to a serving dish.  Serve immediately, sprinkled with the remaining cheese.

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/bettycrockerrecipes/4164496422/

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Pear&Walnut Ring Cake

3 c. all purpose flour                       1 c. oil
1 t baking soda                                    3 tsp vanilla extract
1 t salt                                                     2 eggs
1 t. cinnamon                                       2 c. pears, peeled and chopped (can use apples)
1 c chopped walnuts
1-1/2 c sugar
combine flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in a large bowl; stir in walnuts and set aside.  combine sugar, oil, vanilla and eggs in a medium bowl; stir in pears, then add to flour mixture and stir just until moistened (batter will be thick).  Spoon batter evenly into a greased 10" tube pan.  bake for one hour at 325 degrees until a toothpick comes out clean.  cool in pan and remove from pan.