Do the Mashed Potato... Soup - Sister's Soft, Moist Sunday XVI

 I made this soup while at my sister's last month.  It was my attempt to use up the leftovers in her fridge.  I had made chicken pie, mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli for dinner the night before.  The potatoes and broccoli were items I thought my sister could eat after her jaw surgery.  Unfortunately, she was having swallowing problems that night, so she went with a smoothie instead.  As a result, we had a lot of potatoes and broccoli left over.  I just can't stand to let food go to waste, thus the Mashed Potato Soup.  It turned out quite well, and my sister was able to eat it.  Bonus.  She liked it too.  Double bonus, particularly since the leftovers made a lot of soup!

This Week's Soft Moist Selection

Mashed Potato Soup

(There are no measurements for this one, as I don't know how many leftover mashed potatoes you have.  I just went with what looked right when I made mine.  At the time, I thought I was making something truly original.  I felt like the queen of the kitchen. Since then I've discovered several recipes for mashed potato soup on the webbernet.  If you need measurements, go have a look at one of them.  Otherwise, wing it, and imagine you're the queen of your kitchen.)


Butter or oil
Chopped onion
Minced garlic
Leftover mashed potatoes
Leftover steamed broccoli
Broth
Salt and pepper Your favorite cheese (gouda or cheddar work well.)

• Heat butter/oil in your soup pot.
• Add onion and garlic and cook until translucent.
• Add mashed potatoes, broccoli, salt and pepper.  Add enough broth to cover the veggies.   Simmer for a while.
• Blend with immersion blender until smooth.
• Add cheese and heat.

Comfort Food - Sister's Soft, Moist Sunday VII

After a rousing round of phone tag I finally got in touch with my sweet sister yesterday just as she was sitting down to eat. I won't say what she was eating as: A) I don't have her permission B) I'm afraid the two companies involved will sue me if I say anything not to their liking. Let's just say it wasn't the healthiest meal, but I can understand why she chose it. It's easy to prepare, cheap and comforting. The meal also consisted of foods her kids are likely to eat without complaint, and it was something that she could eat given all her restrictions. Hmmm. It's sounding better all the time....

While today's soft, moist selection may not be considered healthy, I think it's healthier than what she was eating yesterday. It shouldn't be much more difficult to prepare, it's cheap and it's comforting. Now I just need to think of something she can eat to serve with it....

This Week's Soft Moist Selection

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

(Get the kids to help with this one. Peeling and mashing potatoes should be right up their alley. Just make sure they are prepared to clean up after themselves. Substitute regular milk for the buttermilk if necessary. We didn't measure butter, buttermilk or mustard, but it shouldn't be too difficult to figure out what's right for you.)

4 large russet potatoes, peeled and chopped
4 cloves of garlic, peeled
buttermilk
butter
salt
grainy mustard (the kind where you can see the seeds)

- Put chopped potatoes and peeled garlic in a pot.
- Cover with cold,salted water
- Bring to a boil and cook until soft
- Drain water from potatoes and garlic.
- Mash with butter, buttermilk and mustard.