Loaded Potato Soup, and Dinner Rolls

 Tonight was part me and part Jake. I made the soup and Jake made the rolls. I decided to make soup since it was cooler today and it wasn't that hard.

 For the bread, Jake, mixed 2 cups of flour, 1/4 cups sugar, 1/4 cup softened butter, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 package quick acting yeast in a large bowl. Add 1/2 cup warm water, 1/2 cup warm milk (we used lactose free milk) and 1 large egg. The recipe said to beat with a blender, but Jake likes doing it all by hand, he thinks that's where the love comes in. Add just enough flour until the dough leaves the sides of the bowl, it might take 1 to 1 1/2 cups. Next, turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead about 5 minutes or until dough is smooth and springy. Next place in a lightly oiled ( olive oil) bowl, Jake does take 1 tbs of olive oil and mixes it through the dough, before placing it in the bowl. Cover the bowl with a towel, place it in a warm place, and let rise for 1 hour. He then greases muffin tins, after it has risen, he places a small size ball in each tin, he then lets it sit for another 10 minutes. Meanwhile, he melts 1/4 cup butter, adds 1 tbs honey, 2 cloves grated garlic, 1 tsp freshly grated nutmeg, and 1 tbs Herbs of Provence. He brushes this on before placing the rolls in the oven. Place in a 375 degree oven for 15 minutes. These were amazing!

For the soup, I took 3 lbs. of potatoes, poked holes in them, placed them in the microwave for 10 minutes (baked potatoes are normally used, but wanted them done fast). Meanwhile, I placed 1 kielbasa in a skillet, I seared both sides, then steamed it. After letting the potatoes and  sausage cooled, I chopped the sausage into bite size pieces, for the potatoes, I cut them in 1/2, and scooped all the insides into a bowl, then broke them up. I chopped 3 cloves of garlic, and 1/2 a yellow onion. Next, take a large pot, and heat it on medium high heat, add 4 tbs of butter, then the onion, when the onion gets tender add the garlic, and 4 tbs of flour, salt, pepper, and ancho chili powder, whisking the whole time. . Let the flour cook for about a minute. Next add 6 cups of chicken stock, continuously whisking. Next stir in 1 cup sour cream, and 4 oz cream cheese. When that is all mixed in, add the potatoes, and stir. Next, put the sausage in, and add 8oz of sharp cheddar cheese, at the end I added 1 tsp of red chili flakes (optional). I served it with sour cream, more cheese, sriracha, and normally chives, but didn't have any.