Crock Pot Potato Soup

We have been doing really well trying new recipes this year (one of my 2011 personal goals). We try out a new one at least every other week. Recipes in the crock pot are especially attractive during these chilly months. I always wanted to make potato soup so after a little googling, I happened upon this one from the Tasty Kitchen. I liked that it didn't have heavy cream in it and seemed pretty healthy.

Crock Pot Potato Soup Recipe (slightly adapted)

Makes about 10 servings

Ingredients:

8 cups Diced Potatoes (peeled)
1/2 - 3/4 cups Diced Carrots
1/2 - 3/4 cups Diced Celery
3  14 1/2 oz cans low sodium Chicken Broth
10 oz can Cream of Chicken Soup
1 Tablespoon Dried Parsley
1 Teaspoon Pepper
1 clove of Garlic, minced
1 Tablespoon of Flour
8 oz package of reduced fat Cream Cheese
Green Onions, chopped for topping (optional)

Directions:
In a large slow cooker/crock pot, combine all above ingredients, minus the flour and cream cheese. Cook on low for 8-10 hours. About an hour (or a little less if you are running behind) before you serve the soup, stir in the cream cheese until blended. Then, scoop out about a cup or two of the soup into a separate bowl. Add the flour, whisking to avoid any lumps. Then as you are stirring the soup, add flour/soup mixture back into the slow cooker. Replace lid and allow the soup to cook until you’re ready to serve it. The flour will thicken it up a little.

The original recipe calls for 5 tablespoons of flour which seemed fine the first night we had the soup but then when we had leftovers it was mashed potatoes and no longer soup. That wasn't a big deal as we love mashed potatoes too but next time I am going to just do 1 Tbs as noted above or leave it out completely. The original also calls for bacon so if you aren't worried about it being healthy you could add that too.

When you serve it you can add some toppings like green onions, grated cheese, and sour cream if desired. Most of the times we had the soup with just green onions on top and it was perfect.

Here is it cooking away in my trusty ole crock pot

After adding the cream cheese and flour

This was a perfect warm your soul type of meal and we will definitely be making it again! We first served it when my friend Brooke was over for our weekly dinner together (we swap houses each week) and everyone enjoyed it. I'm sure that doesn't surprise you as I wouldn't share a recipe that I didn't recommend haha!

YUM! Thank you Tasty Kitchen!

Linking up to these parties:

(M) Motivate Me Monday, Making the World Cuter Mondays, Making Monday Marvelous, Just Something I Whipped Up, The DIY Showoff, Mad Skills, (T) Today's Creative Blog, All Thingz Related, Tip Me Tuesday, Ladybug Blessings, Try it Tuesday, A Little Birdie Told Me (W) Whatever Goes Wednesday, Creations by Kara, Blue Cricket Design, We Did It Wednesday, (Th) Hooking up w/HoH, Somewhat Simple, Get Your Craft On  Thursday, (F) Remodelaholics Anonymous, JAG Show and Share Day, Frugalicious Friday,  FrouFrouDecor, Fingerprints on the Fridge, FFA Friday, Weekend Wander, (S) Weekend Wrap Up Party, (Su) Sunday Showcase Party, Sundae Scoop, It's So Very Cheri

“Come join Soup-a-Palooza with TidyMom and Dine and Dish sponsored by Bush’s Beans, Hip Hostess, Pillsbury and Westminster Crackers”