Potato Soup

What can I say, this soup ROCKS! I love it. My husband loves it. My company loves it. And my kids will actually eat it.

Ingredients: (to serve about 4)
bacon grease (I suppose you could just use butter)
4 to 5 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed (any kind)
1/2 onion, diced (more or less to taste)
1 stalk celery, diced (include leaves on top)
1 cup (or more) cubed ham
1 cup?? milk
salt, pepper and thyme, maybe parsley (to taste)
Cheddar Cheese

Method:
Saute onions and celery in grease until tender.  Add potatoes and ham then cover with JUST enough water to barely cover potatoes. Boil until potatoes are tender. Mash with potato masher. (if you prefer thicker, smoother soup you could use imersion blender. I like a little chunks.) Add milk and spices and cook another couple of minutes. Stir in however much cheese you like. Remove from heat and let sit to thicken, unless you like thin soup. I serve it, then let sit it bowls. Thickens faster. Garnish with additional cheese. 2 years later...an update: When I make this soup, I always add a cup or two of frozen corn, some chicken broth, and make a small amount (2 cups?) of white sauce (milk thickened with flour/butter) in place of the milk. This is Ella's 2nd favorite dinner.

Fried Rice

This is a great kid-friendly dish. Especially since you can make it with whatever veggies or meat sounds good to you.  This is pretty yummy. It is no small thing when my picky toddler asks "more please!" 5 minutes after serving her. Here's how I do it:

1/2 cup diced onion (green onions are yummy, too.)

1 cup accumulative veggies (ideas: peas, cabbage, carrots, corn, celery)

opt: 1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 lb diced meat (asian red pork is best, ham, bacon, chicken...whatever)
3 eggs
1 plus T. soy sauce
2-3 cold cooked rice (planned leftovers)

Saute all veggies and meat in oil until veggies are tender. (if using frozen peas, I wait to throw them in) Beat eggs. Push veggies/meat aside and scramble eggs in side of frying pan, adding more oil if needed.  When about done, add cold rice and break up clumps.  Sprinkle on however much soy sauce you like and stir everything together.  Put lid on and let rest (flavors will combine) before serving.