Some super soups and a creamy dessert

Since my super fantastic boss has been having a hard time chewing or eating things lately, I decided to make him a couple soups and some chocolate pudding.... he has been such a positive influence in my life and career that it makes me really happy to be able to use my love of cooking to help him in even a small way.

Cream of Potato Soup
4 cups diced potatoes
4 cups whole milk
1 vidalia onion
1 cup chicken broth
1 teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
fresh thyme, chopped chives, chopped bacon, shredded cheddar cheese and ground black pepper to taste

Boil the potatoes until tender, then mash them with the milk in your favorite stand mixer. Using the butter, brown and carmelize the sliced onions in a deep pan (which you will later use for the soup). Deglaze the onion pan with the chicken broth, then blend the onions and broth until smooth in a blender or processor.

Add the potatoes and milk and onion laden broth to the pan and cook to reduce volume by ~1/4. During the cooking , stir in the fresh herbs and pepper - to taste. Once the volume is reduced, remove the soup from the heat and stir in shredded cheese and bacon if desired.


Tomato Basil Dill Soup
4 Tablespoons olive oil
1 vidalia onion, chopped fine
1 Tablespoon minced roasted garlic
1 Tablespoon flour
4 pounds ripe tomatoes, chopped with most seeds (guts) removed, and oven roasted (200F, 2 hours)
1 cup tomato paste (I make my own - it is super easy)
1 Tablespoon sugar
salt and pepper to taste
10-12 leaves fresh sweet basil
1/4 cup fresh dill (perhaps more, to taste)

Cover the bottom of the soup pot with the olive oil, add the onion and garlic, heat on low for 10 minutes, browning the onion slightly. Sprinkle the mixture with the flour, cook 2-3 minutes longer, stirring.

Add the tomatoes, tomato paste and sugar. Simmer over low heat for 30-45 minutes, during this time - season with the basil, salt and pepper and dill.

Puree the soup in a blender & strain into pot. Heat further to achieve desired consistency.

Chocolate Pudding
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup cocoa powder
3 Tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup whole milk
3 ounces chopped semisweet chocolate (chips will work as well)
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

In a sauce pan, whisk together the sugar, cocoa powder, cornstarch and salt. Gradually whisk in the milk and cream, whisking vigorously until smooth.

Heat on medium, whisking continuously until the mixture thickens and begins to boil. Remove from heat and stir in chopped chocolate and vanilla. Let this sit for 3-4 minutes before whisking the mixture until smooth. If the mixture seems to thick, add additional milk to thin.