Post Holiday Soup

My favorite things to cook usually don't require specialty ingredients or an extra trip to the grocery store. In-fact, Mr. RC Homestead has thought that I should create a cookbook combining all the ridiculous stuff in our cupboards... as I often do in a pinch.

BUT, I figure this is how most folks cook, so what's the big deal there :)

Anyhow, true to my mod-podge cooking style, I assembled the holiday leftovers for a cozy soup and I thought you may enjoy.

We hosted Christmas Eve for the first time at the Rubber City Homestead this year. Consistent with blended families everywhere, we are working to ... 'blend' well. Working would be the key word. All the kinks are not yet worked out, but we are making steady progress.

In the morning, we hosted a brunch with one-half of the family. This was a smaller gathering, but the menu covered all the bases:

Christmas Eve Brunch Menu

• Bacon
• Sausage patties
• Scrambled eggs
• Waffles
• Mimosas
• Coffee

The brunch was a success and while we may not host Christmas Eve brunch every year, I think we stumbled across a couple of things that we would like to turn into regular traditions!

*Grandpa RC Homestead reading the Christmas story to baby Gremlin

I believe in making the most out of leftovers, so we sorted out the goodies in the afternoon. The homestead PUP was thrilled, as he was given the leftover scrambled eggs. I tossed the sausage patties in the fridge for later and chopped the bacon for a nice addition to the evening meal with the other half of the family.

Christmas Eve Super Easy Dinner Menu

• Corn Bake
• Mashed Taters
• Honeybaked Ham (courtesy of Mr. RC Homestead's employer - thank you!)
• Lawson's Chip dip
• Pretzel sticks
• Peanuts from the Peanut Shoppe
• Variety of baked and received Christmas cookies (thank you, sweet neighbors!)

Really all I had to MAKE was the corn bake and the mashed taters, what could be easier?!?!

The corn bake was simple: open the cans, stir, pop it in the oven. Meanwhile, I chopped and boiled the taters. While blending the mashed potatoes, I tossed in the bacon bits and a crazy idea hit me... why don't I toss this in a 9 x 13 and bake it a bit, too. I added a scoop of sour cream, some parsley, salt, pepper and a bit of chive, topped with cheddar cheese and off to the oven it went.

Fast forward two days...

The cookies are almost gone, and we are ready for something new to munch on, but I hate to throw away leftovers.

Time for SOUP to save the day!

I took the remaining corn bake, remaining tater bake, added some boiling water, a bit of chicken bullion, some carrots and celery... tada! Soup du jour!!!

Pair with a sandwich, or eat it up solo, this was a yummy treat!

Stay cozy,

--The Rubber City Homestead