It truly felt like Autumn Monday night as my friends and I came in out of the cold and bustled about the kitchen stirring pots of simmering soups. Don shared bottles of his beloved “Two Buck Chuck” wine from Trader Joe’s, and it paired beautifully with Darren’s spread of savory sausage and Drunken Goat cheese.
As the last pot came to a boil, we set down three bubbling concoctions for folks to choose from.
I made Split Pea Soup with Prosciutto topped with Danish Crispy Fried Onions.
Cameron and Robin made a wonderful Rooibos Broth with Kale, Corn and Onions.
Toby made a deliciously cheesy batch of Potato Leek Chowder.
Jon rounded things off with the best twice-baked potatoes I’ve ever had stuffed with cheese, jalapenos, sun-dried tomatoes and sauteed sweet onions.
It was comfort food at its best. 🙂
What is your favorite thing to eat on a cold evening?
Toby’s Potato Leek Chowder
Jon’s Twice Baked Potatoes
Ingredients:
12 baby red potatoes
3/4 cup sour cream
3-4 Tbsp butter
1/2-1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 jalapeno, chopped and seeded
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
1/2 tsp granulated garlic
1/2 tsp chopped dried basil
1 sweet onion, chopped and sauteed
1-2 Tbsp Parmesan, grated
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Cut a small slit cut across the top of each potato and bake 20-30 minutes.
- Remove potatoes from oven, carefully cut a wedge out of the top and gently scoop out the innards, leaving just enough ‘meat’ to keep the shape of the potato.
- Combine potato innards with sour cream, butter, cheddar cheese, jalapeno, sun dried tomatoes, sea salt, black pepper, garlic, basil, and onion.
- Stuff mixture into the potato skins and continue baking at 375 for about 15 minutes, or until cheese is sufficiently melted.
- Remove, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and return to oven until cheese is melted.
Krista’s Split Pea Soup with Prosciutto and Danish Crispy Fried Onions
Ingredients:
2 Tbsp olive oil
2 onions, chopped
3-4 stalks celery, chopped
1 package (six slices) prosciutto, chopped
1 bag dried split peas
8 cups water
4 cups beef stock
1/2-1 cup Danish Crispy Fried Onions
Directions:
- In saucepan heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onions and celery and saute until soft.
- Add remaining ingredients and bring to boil. Simmer uncovered over medium heat for 1 hour 20 minutes, or until peas are mushy and soup has thickened.
- Add salt and pepper as needed.
- Pour into bowls and top with Danish Crispy Fried Onions.
Lovely soup and very comforting, my favorite that I want to eat right now is “kale soup”.
Mmm, I love kale soup too, Elra. It’s so hearty and nourishing. 🙂
Oh Krista, everything looks delicious! Thanks for the recipes! 🙂
Nothing like soup on a cold night!
You’re welcome, Stephanie!! So glad you like them. 🙂
I agree, Andi! 🙂 So comforting. 🙂
Looks amazing. Cold weather comfort food for me is definitely soup or stew with fresh homemade buns!
I am ogling those twice baked potatoes… oh the many, many options!! My brother in law dropped off a BOX of potatoes… I think I am loving the concept of everyone bring something and it is so, so neat to see what people bring!!! BTW: how are you doing?
Janelle
I love soup night! But my go to cozy fall meal is a hearty chili.
You guys know just how to celebrate the cooler weather. Wow, those dishes look soul-satisfying. Love it!!!
I love the idea of friends coming over and cooking together, then eating together. Do you also clean up together? If it was at my house, I would like my guests to do the clean up. Nice host, eh? The cuisine is diverse. No comfy dessert? I guess you’d be too full. I’d love to see that potato recipe, too!
🙂
Valerie
AH – it is there… I was going to copy the recipes for the soups – and there it was!
Lovely soup….love it! The weather is getting cold fast here. I need lots of soup like this 😀
Great and comforting food! That chowder looks and sounds delicious.
Cheers,
Rosa
On a cold evening you will find me eationg some Habitant Pea Soup or comforting chicken noodle Ktista. Soup is very heart warming:D
Soup is probably my favorite thing to eat on a cold evening, and all these soups sound amazing! I haven’t had split pea since I was a kid, I definitely need to make this soon! 🙂
They all look fantastic! It’s getting to be soup weather and comfort food season where I am, and I love it! Great recipes!
How much fun is it when everyone cooks a dish and then you all get to share. Love those evenings. Your meal looked amazing, I’d love to taste them all right now.