Leftovers Recipe: Cheddar Potato Veggie Soup

Mashed potatoes are an essential side of most Thanksgiving dinners, but what on earth to do with the leftovers? They're not as easy to just throw into something as leftover turkey is, and they don't always reheat well, and certainly aren't good cold. This recipe offers a creative use of leftover mashed potatoes, so you can get rid of that bowl sitting in the back of the fridge! Rather than having to blend up the potatoes to make a creamy soup, just use the already mashed ones. The addition of cheese, carrots, celery and cauliflower makes this filling and hearty potato soup anything but bland. Next holiday, you may just make extra mashed potatoes on purpose!

Cheddar Potato Veggie Soup
(Serves 4.)

Ingredients:

 (Photo credit: lynn.gardner)

1/2 medium onion, chopped
1 large carrot, chopped
2 ribs celery, chopped
1 cup cauliflower pieces
1 Tbsp olive oil
2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
4 cups mashed potatoes
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar or white Cheddar cheese
1 (8 oz) package lower fat cream cheese, warmed to room temperature, and cut into small pieces
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. In your food processor, put the onion, carrot, celery, and cauliflower and pulse until fine.  You can use either cooked leftovers or raw.
2. Put this mixture into a large soup pot, add the olive oil, and put over medium heat, stirring to saute for 2 minutes.
3. Add the broth to the soup pot, turn heat up and bring mixture to a boil, immediately turning heat down to low and simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Keep heat low, and slowly add in the potatoes and milk, and stir until well combined; simmer slowly for 5 minutes.
5. Keep heat low, and stir in the Cheddar cheese and cream cheese, stirring constantly while heating until the cheeses are completely melted and soup is hot - but do NOT boil. Be patient, this should take a few minutes to do correctly.
6. Taste and add salt and pepper as desired.
7. Remove from heat, cover and let sit for five minutes.
8. Serve in soup bowls with a pat of butter on top, a sprinkling of more Cheddar cheese, or a few chives or green onions.