Crock Pot Potato Soup

The other night I was craving creamy potato soup. The best potato soup recipe I know was not creamy enough for this particular craving. I've made a decent creamy soup, but all the ingredients were from cans. So, I thought I'd try something new. Once again, no one recipe looked perfect, so I threw what I had in the crock pot and decided to wing it. It turned out awesome! So, here it is!

6 medium russet potatoes, cut into chunks (don't peel them)
ham chunks (add as much or as little as you want)
4 cups chicken broth
3 cloves garlic
1/2 yellow onion, diced
seasoning salt
dried parsley
black pepper
4 ounces cream cheese
1 cup half and half

Put the first 8 ingredients into the crock pot. I don't have exact measurements for the seasonings. I eye ball things like that. I would guess about 1-2 teaspoons of seasoning salt and pepper and about a tablespoon of parsley. Cook on high for 3 hours. Add cream cheese and half and half. Cook half an hour longer. Enjoy!

Baby Banana Pancakes

Now I have a Jack Johnson song stuck in my head. "Makin banana pancakes, pretend like it's the weekend.." The hubs and I used to listen to him all the time when we were dating. But that is a little off topic.

I've been trying to find recipes for things Little Man can eat by himself. I still feed him purees, but now that he is 8 months old, I'd like him to be able to start feeding himself. It keeps him occupied, lets me get things done, and teaches him an important skill. Win-win! Problem is, I'm running out of things to give him! And puffs can't be the best thing for him. At least not a couple times a day! He doesn't have teeth and he's allergic to dairy, so that has made it a little more challenging. But I finally found something that was easy to make and that he likes! Banana pancakes! They aren't your traditional pancakes, but that is what I will call them. I just kind of added stuff until I had a pancake consistency. They aren't the best tasting thing in the world, but they are good. If you have an older kid (or you don't mind sugar and spices), you can add some sugar and cinnamon. I bet apple sauce would be good too instead of bananas. I made a bunch of these and froze them. Freezing food is addicting!

Baby Banana Pancakes  

2/3 C flour (I used wheat)
1 C water
2 bananas, mashed
1 egg
1/3 tsp baking powder
1/3 tsp baking soda

Mix all ingredients. Cook on pan or griddle. Enjoy!

Makes 20-24 two to three inch pancakes.