Is it Summer or Fall?

Silly question perhaps, but here in Arizona there is a good reason for my confusion. Some days it is 90 degrees and sometimes it is 70 degrees (freezing temps in my book). I am stuck in that awkward spot with what to wear. I just want to embrace my sweaters, but will have to layer on the deodorant for sure. I could still just wear t-shirts, but after 10 months of that I am ready to look like I am cold darn it! As you can see I love me some soup, but they taste better when it is cold and necessary.

Yesterday I made Rosemary Chicken Croissant Sandwiches with Potato, bacon and cheese soup. Sounds like they are too standard to be delicious, but I assure you that the rosemary makes all the difference. Plain old potato soup? The secret is a touch of cayenne pepper to give it that extra oomph to take it from plain to pretty darn tasty! It was Summer and Fall together. It was a pretty good combination.

Rosemary Chicken Croissant Sandwiches (Summer)

Ingredients:
3 cups chopped cooked chicken
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1/4 cup light plain yogurt
1/4 cup light mayo
1 tsp rosemary
1 tsp dijon mustard
1/8 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
croissants

Directions:

Mix ingredients & spread on croissants. Serve and Enjoy


Potato and Bacon Soup (Fall)

Ingredients:

6 thick slices bacon (I used turkey bacon)
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped carrots
1 stalk celery, chopped
4 cups chicken broth
4 cups cubed potatoes
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1/2 cups cream or milk

Directions

1. Cook bacon until crisp in 3-quart saucepan, remove from pan.
   
2. While bacon is cooking, prepare vegetables. Add to saucepan and add onion, carrot, and celery as they are cut up. Saute until onion is soft but not brown, about 3-4 minutes.
3. Stir in chicken broth, potatoes, and pepper; bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, covered, until potatoes are tender, about 10-15 minutes.
4. Stir in milk or cream. Stir in cheese, heating just until melted--do not boil. Chop bacon and add to soup. Adjust seasoning to taste by adding salt, if desired. Serve at once and of course enjoy!