Potato Pepperjack Soup

Yesterday I made soup and breadsticks. And my boys loved, loved both. I think they just loved the fact that I finally made dinner. And then, crazily enough, I went to a friend's blog last night and she had posted the EXACT recipe. Whoa. How do you account for that serendipity?

I think it means that this soup is so dang good that when fall comes, this recipe taunts and haunts you from its home in your recipe book: calling your name and not letting you rest until you make it.

I feel it is my duty to warn you though. If your cholesterol is high, or your tolerance for calories is low, don't even read on and be tempted.

Potato Pepperjack Soup
4 c. diced potatoes
1 med diced green pepper
1 med diced red pepper
1 carrot, peeled and diced
1 diced yellow onion
2 cloves minced garlic
3 strips bacon, cooked and chopped
2 T olive oil
1 T white pepper
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. thyme
1 lb. grated pepperjack cheese
3 c. chicken broth
1 quart heavy cream
1/2 c. flour
1/2 c. butter

Combine olive oil, pepers, onion, garlic and carrot in med saucepan. Saute on medium heat until vegetables are soft. Add chicken broth and let simmer. In separate pan, boil potatoes in water until tender (about 15 minutes). Drain and add to soup. Add cream, bacon, cheese, salt, pepper and thyme. Bring to a boil. Prepare roux by melting butter and stirring in flour to make a paste. Cook over medium heat for about five minutes. Add roux to soup mixture, stirring to desired thickness.

Breadsticks
1 1/2 c. warm water
1 T scant yeast
1 T honey
1 T malt powder
1 tsp. salt
3 1/2 c. flour

Combine water and yeast. Let sit for few minutes. Mix rest of ingredients. Shape in breadsticks. Cover and let rise 15 minutes. Melt 1/4 - 1/2 cup butter in jelly roll pan. Dip each breadstick in butter, flip over and scoot close to edge or next breadstick. Sprinkle with mixture of parmesan cheese, garlic powder, basil, and dill. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-15 minutes.


The vegetables for the soup are absolutely beautiful and aromatic.


Things are starting to get steamy.....


Now things are starting to get eaten!