Using Up Leftovers:Mashed Potato Soup

Here is a recipe that just kind of materialized; it's one of those "use up leftovers so we don't have food waste" meals that I made up on the fly and it turned out really tasty, unlike my last attempt at potato soup.

I simply took half an onion and chopped it up.

Then put some butter in a pot and let it cook away til the onions were a bit translucent.

Then I added leftover mashed potatoes and enough milk to make it into a thick but still smooth soup.

Then I thought some celery would be good in it as well. (if you're making this, cut up two ribs of celery and sweat them out with the onions at the beginning.)

I spiced it up a bit with a pinch of dry mustard, some paprika, a bit of Italian seasoning, garlic powder and some salt and pepper.

I also crumbled a tiny bit of meat loaf that we'd had for dinner with the mashed potatoes into the soup for some extra flavor and texture. Didn't get a picture of that though.
I let it cook til it was all warmed through, slightly simmering for about 10-15 minutes.
Then I served it up and we enjoyed it with Colby Jack and Parmesan cheese and cilantro as garnish and put some crusty french bread on the side to dip into the soup. Yum!

I didn't measure anything, just added and tasted, then added more if needed. I figure if you decide to make this you'll probably have different amounts of leftover mashed potatoes than I did, so just use this "recipe" as a guideline. :)

What is your favorite way to use up leftovers?


This post is linked to Seasonal Celebration Sunday at Natural Mother's Network and Wildcrafting Wednesday at Mind, Body and Sole