Baked Potato Soup & Tips {linky}

Earlier this year, I made Paula Deen's Baked Potato Soup. It is my FAVORITE soup recipe to date. With the cold weather recently, I decided to make it again. And then I also took it to a potluck for a bible study I'm in. Its always a huge hit. HOWEVER, the hardest thing I have found is actually taking the picture. How do you take a picture of a bowl of soup? For some reason this is a huge challenge for me.

Old picture...

2-11-2011

New pictures from the last batch I made...

Sure, they have significantly improved since last shot, but still....not where I want to be.
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RECIPE:
8 slices hickory smoked bacon
1 onion, diced
1/2 cup flour
3 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth
5 potatoes, baked, peeled and diced
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
2 cups half & half
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated
1 cup sour cream
salt & pepper to taste (optional)

In a duth oven, cook bacon until crisp; remove and crumble, reserve drippings.

Cook onion in bacon drippings until tender; stir in flour and cook for one minute, stirring constantly. Gradually add chicken broth; cook, stirring constantly until thickened and bubbly. Put in the diced potatoes, parsley, bacon and half & half; cook for 10 minutes. Stir in cheese and sour cream.

Garnish with cheese, bacon and sour cream.
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As humans, asking for help can be the hardest thing EVER for us to do....but I'm asking you now...HELP! Do you have any tips and tricks?

Link up your soup recipes and show me how you've taken your pictures!

Flash Back Friday #13 & Paula Deen's Baked Potato Soup

FLASH-BACK FRIDAY #13

PAULA DEEN'S BAKED POTATO SOUP

Click on image to see post on 2/12/2011

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My favorite from this past week was from Bernie with One Mixed Bag

Click on image to see full post

Had me laughing--we all have mishaps in cooking, but so few actually blog about them. Bernice really had me giggling--its soooo something I would do!!

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Thanks to ALL who linked up!

The Dinner Belle

The Perfect Line

Catalina Bakes

The Kitchen in my Playground

Create with Joy

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Baked Cheesy Mac

This is NOT your normal macaroni and cheese! That's right, its Paula Deen's! Its also baked. I know, it keeps getting better and better! Just wait until you try it ;)

BAKED CHEESY MAC

4 cups cooked elbow macaroni, drained
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
3 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup sour cream
4 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Once you have the macaroni cooked and drained, place in large bowl and while still hot add the cheddar.

In a separate bowl, combine the remaining ingredients and add to the macaroni mixture. Pour mac mixture into a greased casserole dish and bake for 30 to 45 minutes. Top with additional cheese (optional).

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~ I like to sprinkle bread crumbs over top (Italian seasoned). It adds a little crunch!

~This is perfect for doubling up on!

~I like to use the block cheddar cheese, it seems to melt better and blend better with the other flavors.

Paula Deen's Baked Potato Soup

I have tried many baked potato soups, and this one is by far the best.  I'm not really a "soup"  person, but I'll eat the entire pot of this. Absolutely YUMMY. And the best part? It is sooooo easy!

PAULA DEEN'S BAKED POTATO SOUP

8 slices hickory smoked bacon
1 onion, diced
1/2 cup flour
3 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth
5 potatoes, baked, peeled and diced
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
2 cups half & half
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated
1 cup sour cream
salt & pepper to taste (optional)

In a duth oven, cook bacon until crisp; remove and crumble, reserve drippings.

Cook onion in bacon drippings until tender; stir in flour and cook for one minute, stirring constantly. Gradually add chicken broth; cook, stirring constantly until thickened and bubbly. Put in the diced potatoes, parsley, bacon and half & half; cook for 10 minutes. Stir in cheese and sour cream.

Garnish with cheese, bacon and sour cream.