Whatcha Got Cookin'?

As you may have guessed, there is never a dull moment around here.  Except at the dinner table. I can't cook. Not to save my life, or that of my family.  I once had a friend try to teach me how to cook out of a box. He was unsuccessful.  Most nights, especially while on this deployment, dinner is cereal, ramen, mac n cheese, frozen pizza, chicken nuggets in the microwave, or eggs and bacon (the only thing I can fry without needing to file a homeowner's insurance claim immediately thereafter.)  Tonight: mac n cheese.  I am surprised that we're not eating out any more than we usually do...actually less. Because it's too much damn work to drive anywhere. (We're kind of out in the "rural" part of town, and only one pizza place delivers.)

But sometimes, just sometimes, I get lucky.  See, I like to throw crap in a crockpot and see what happens. (Also my dutch oven, sometimes.)  And once in a while, it's good.  I've recently figured out that blogs with recipes get more hits, so tonight I am starting a new series, appropriately dubbed:
Crap in a Crockpot.
Sorry if the name is offensive.  It's kind of an homage to my dad, who could cook brilliantly, but often made SOS (that's Shit on a Shingle, to you lay folks).  So, here's experiment numero uno.  I was looking for a baked potato soup recipe, and a friend was gracious enough to provide one for me. One that I didn't follow. Now bear in mind, I don't measure really.  So these are approximate.

Crap in a Crockpot: Baked Potato Soup (or something)
5 or 6 potatoes - get the decent sized ones, they're easier to cut - diced into cubes or something
1 box of chicken broth (no, i don't know how many ounces are in a "box")
about 1/2 stick of butter (it's what I had laying around)
1 small onion - finely diced (or use Tastefully Simple's Onion Onion...about 2 tbsps)
salt and pepper...however you like it

So, you got all that crap? Throw it in the crockpot.  Turn it on high for about 3-4 hours.  Or until the potatoes are mushy and you can smoosh them with a spoon (I actually use a handheld blender.)

Then, throw in more crap:
a cup or two of half n half (I use fat free, cuz I have enough fat on my ass)
a small bag of shredded cheddar cheese (I used about 3/4 of it, since it was what I had left)
some bacon - cooked and crumbled
some chives (I like fresh. I say that because it makes it sound like I know what I'm talking about)
a big spoonful of sour cream (I actually put it in now, instead of on top)

Blend all that crap up.  Then you have soup.  Let it cook for another 30-60 minutes on low...enough to make it hot enough to burn your tongue.  Then put it in a bowl, add more cheese and bacon if you like, and eat it. It's delicious.  If you're short on time, I have used baked potatoes from the night before, put it all in a big stockpot on the stove, and had soup in about 30 minutes.

I froze a bunch of it, too, for nights when I'm sick of mac n cheese.  You're welcome.  Stay tuned for more Crap in a Crockpot recipes.