Comfort Food: Because Sometimes Bad Things Happen to Good People (Crock PotTurkey and Potato Cheese Soup Recipe)

My friend Ashley got some devastating news the week before Christmas.  Her 29 year old husband, Ryan, was diagnosed with colon cancer.

Today, I’m joining up with other bloggers to help her out.  Ashely, who blogs at CenterCutCook, and I have known each other since college, and she is a great friend.

Ashley is self-employed – and you know what that means.  No paid vacations, no sick leave, no flex-spending account.  (Sounds like a farmer, doesn’t it?) We have set up a GiveForward campaign to help her and Ryan with medical expenses and loss of income while Ryan fights his battle against cancer.

She lives a few hours from me, so I can’t be there to help her in real life, but I can help her out in this way.

Find the Best Fundraising Ideas on GiveForward

In Ashley’s honor, I’m attempting to be a food blogger today, and sharing a slow-cooker recipe that will warm your body and your soul.  I used a recipe from the Iowa Turkey Federation’s cookbook and it was amazing.



Slow Cooker Turkey and Potato Cheese Soup
4 cups frozen potatoes, thawed OR peeled potatoes (julienne, sliced or cubed)
4 (14 1/2 ounce) cans chicken broth
2 teaspoons instant minced onion
1 cup sliced carrots
1/2 cup sliced celery
1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
2 tablespoons margarine OR butter
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon parsley flakes

1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup water
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, cubed and softened
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups diced or shredded cooked turkey (breast or drumstick)

1.  Wash hands.
2.  In a 5-quart or larger slow cooker combine the first 10 ingredients.  (I left out the celery and red pepper because I didn’t have any.)  Cover and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours.
3.  Combine flour and water until smooth.  Stir into soup.
4.  Stir in cream cheese and cheddar cheese until blended.
5.  Add turkey.  (Use a turkey drumstick or breast previously cooked, or Thanksgiving leftovers.)
6.  Cover and cook on high for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Makes 12 servings

For more AMAZING recipes, be sure to check out Ashley’s website, Center Cut Cook.  Ashley’s recipes include everything from her famous Chocolate Lasagna and Edible Egg-less Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough to Bang Bang Shrimp and Bacon Parmesan Garlic Burgers.

And these other bloggers are sharing Comfort Food recipes in Ashley's honor, as well!

Kick Ass Chicken Lasagna - Sugar Dish Me
Meals to Deliver to Family and Friends - Barefeet in the Kitchen
Comfort Food Because Sometimes Bad Things Happen - On the Banks of Squaw Creek
Center Cut Cook - The Midnight Baker
Best Meals to Deliver to Friends - Slow Roasted Italian
Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole {Gluten Free} - My Gluten Free Kitchen