Melissa's Potato Soup

• 6 medium baking potatoes, peeled & cubed
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 4 tablespoons bacon grease or butter
• 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt & black pepper, to taste
• Toppings, such as bacon bits, shredded cheese & sour cream , green onions

In a large pot or Dutch oven, boil the peeled and cubed potatoes in the chicken broth.

Meanwhile, in a saucepan, melt bacon grease or butter. Stir in the flour and cook for a minute. Slowly add the milk to the flour mixture, whisking continuously. Add garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Heat until roux is thick.

When potatoes have reached desired doneness, drain some of the potato broth into a measuring cup. Reserve this liquid. Add milk mixture to the potatoes. Add back in the potato broth  until desired consistency has been achieved. Adjust salt to taste.

Ladle servings into bowls and top with your desired toppings.

Baked Mexican-Style Rice

• 1 cup rice, rinsed
• 1 3/4 cups boiling water
• 4 tablespoons diced potato
• 4 tablespoons frozen mixed vegetables
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons tomato paste
• 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon paste

Combine all ingredients in 13x9 baking dish. Cover with foil. Bake at 375 degrees F for 22-27 minutes. Rest 5 minutes before removing foil. Fluff with a fork.

1/2 recipe:

• 1/2 cup rice, rinsed
• 7/8 cup boiling water
• 2 tablespoons diced potato
• 2 tablespoons frozen mixed vegetables
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon paste

Combine all ingredients in 8x8 baking dish. Cover with foil. Bake at 375 degrees F for 22-27 minutes. Rest 5 minutes before removing foil. Fluff with a fork.

Bob's Redmill Old Fashioned Biscuits

Possibly the best biscuits ever!

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup milk

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt. Cut in butter with pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Slowly add milk and stir until dough just comes together. Dough will be wet and sticky.

Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead 15 times. Gently roll or pat dough to 1 inch thick. Cut biscuits with a biscuit cutter. Place biscuits on ungreased baking sheet.

Bake 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.

Makes 6 big biscuits.

Original post here.