Italian Bread Bowl Potato Soup

justmecookin Sat Jan 01, 2011 11:46 am

Italian Bread Bowl Potato Soup

6 potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes (2 1/2 pounds)
2 medium onions, diced
2 carrots, thinly sliced
2 celery ribs, thinly sliced
2 (14 1/2-ounce) cans chicken broth
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups half-and-half
Italian Bread Bowls
Garnish: fresh celery leaves

Combine first 8 ingredients in a 4 1/2-quart slow cooker. Cook, covered, at HIGH 3 hours or until vegetables are tender. Stir together flour and half-and-half; stir into soup. Cover and cook 30 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Serve in Italian Bread Bowls, and garnish, if desired. Makes 8 cups

Italian Bread Bowls
2 1/2 cups warm water (105° to 115°)
2 (1/4-ounce) envelopes active dry yeast
2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
7 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon cornmeal
1 egg white
1 tablespoon water

Stir together 2 1/2 cups water and yeast in a large bowl; let stand 5 minutes. Stir in salt and oil. Add flour gradually, beating at medium speed with an electric mixer until a soft dough forms.

Turn dough out onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic (4 to 6 minutes). Place in a lightly greased bowl, turning to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, 35 minutes or until doubled in bulk.

Punch dough down, and divide into 8 equal portions. Shape each portion into a 4-inch round loaf. Place loaves on lightly greased baking sheets sprinkled with cornmeal. Cover and let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, 35 minutes or until doubled in bulk.

Stir together egg white and 1 tablespoon water; brush over loaves. Bake at 400° for 15 minutes. Brush with remaining egg mixture, and bake 10 to 15 more minutes or until golden. Cool on wire racks. Freeze up to 1 month, if desired.

Cut a 1/2-inch-thick slice from top of each loaf; scoop out centers, leaving 3/4-inch-thick shells. (Reserve centers for other uses.) Fill bread bowls with hot soup, and serve immediately. Makes 8 servings