This morning my BFF, and sometimes oldest child, texted me that she wanted an easy recipe that could be made for less than $5.  It got my wheels turning.  I couldn't think of anything for less than $5 but I told her I could do something for less than $10.  With that I present, Loaded Baked Potato Chowder.  

Loaded Baked Potato Chowder

Ingredients:
3   baking potatoes (about 2 1/2 lb/1.1 kg) 3 1/2   cups (875 mL) milk, divided 4   oz (125 g) cream cheese, softened 2   tbsp (30 mL) butter 2-3   green onions with tops (1/4 cup/50 mL sliced)		4   oz (125 g) sharp cheddar cheese, grated 1 1/2   tsp (7 mL) salt 1/2   tsp (2 mL) coarsely ground black pepper Optional toppings such as chopped cooked bacon, sour cream or steamed broccoli florets

Directions:
1.	Slice potatoes in half lengthwise with Santoku Knife; place in Deep Covered Baker. Pour 1/2 cup (125 mL) of the milk over potatoes. Microwave, covered, on HIGH 11 minutes. Remove baker from microwave. Move center potatoes to ends of baker and outer potatoes to center. Cover; microwave on HIGH 8-11 minutes or until potatoes are easily pierced with a fork. Remove baker from microwave. Coarsely mash potatoes with Mix ‘N Chop.
2.	Meanwhile, whisk cream cheese until smooth in Classic Batter Bowl. Slowly add remaining 3 cups (750 mL) milk, whisking until smooth. Add cream cheese mixture and butter to baker. Microwave, covered, on HIGH 3-5 minutes or until mixture is hot. Slice green onions with Chef's Knife.
3.	Carefully remove baker from microwave. Grate cheddar cheese over chowder using Rotary Grater; add green onions, salt and black pepper and mix usingSmall Mix ‘N Scraper®; until cheese is melted. Serve with toppings, if desired.
Yield: 6 servings (8 cups/2 L)  Nutrients per serving: (about 1 1/3 cups/325 mL): Calories 390, Total Fat 19 g, Saturated Fat 11 g, Cholesterol 65 mg, Carbohydrate 43 g, Protein 14 g, Sodium 880 mg, Fiber 3 g  Cook’s Tips: For a lighter version, omit butter. Substitute fat-free (skim) milk, reduced-fat (Neufchâtel) cheese and light cheddar for the 2% milk and full-fat cheeses.  U.S. Nutrients per serving: Calories 300, Total Fat 8 g, Saturated Fat 5 g, Cholesterol 30 mg, Carbohydrate 43 g, Protein 16 g, Sodium 890 mg, Fiber 3 g  © 2010 The Pampered Chef used under license. All of the ingredients, including bacon for the topping cost $12, cheaper than McDonald's.  Of course telling her about it, it made me want to make it myself.  So, this is also what we had for dinner tonight.  Unfortunately, for her, the BFF does not have the Deep Covered Baker, also known as the "magic pot".  So, I had to adjust the recipe for her to make it on the stove top.  If you are in the same boat as her, here is the adjusted recipe. Boil potatoes in water or chicken stock, drain and return to pot, add milk and cream cheese mixture.  Bring to a boil and then turn heat to low.  Pick up with step #3. If you are regular reader and are wondering about the homemade laundry detergent, well, I made it and have done several loads of laundry.  Hopefully, I will be able to post how it went tomorrow. Until then, happy clippin' and cookin'