Bargain Meal of the Week: Spicy Sausage and Potato Soup

It's time for another week of Bargain Meals! Erin over at $5 Dinners (a great read!) is hosting a gathering of bloggers all over the internet, creating frugal meals straight from the sales circulars of their favorite stores. Check it out for even more inspiration. I contribute every week for the current sales at Publix, which run from Wednesday to the following Tuesday. Keep in mind that you do not need to purchase two of a product to get the buy one get one price. Publix marks down their products to half price for the BOGO deals.

Items on sale that can be used in this meal:

Idaho Potatoes, $0.59 lb

Hillshire Farm Smoked Sausage 14-16oz $1.99
-$1/2 Hillshire Smoked Sausage RP 10/04
-$1/2 Hillshire Rope Sausage Yellow Adv. Buy Flyer (store coupon)
Final Price: use together makes it 99¢ ea


Spicy Sausage and Potato Soup
By Diana Rattray, About.com

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 12 to 16 ounces andouille sausage or other smoked sausage
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/2 cup chopped green onions
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley or 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
• 1 teaspoon dried leaf basil
• 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 2 pounds baking potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream

Directions:

In a large skillet over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Add the onion, celery, and diced sausage; sauté until the vegetables are tender and sausage is lightly browned. Stir in the flour until smooth and well-blended; stir in green onions, parsley, basil, salt and pepper. Continue cooking, stirring, for 1 minute. Blend in the chicken broth. Add the diced potatoes, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes, or until potatoes are tender. Stir in the heavy cream and continue cooking until heated through.