Need a cozy meal?

It's -41 here in Rochester right now. Actually, it's -9, but factor in the wind chill and you're looking at a mighty cold negative 41!! That is 41 degrees below zero! Schools closed early today due to a blizzard that hit us hard this morning. Crazy, considering yesterday it was 40 degrees above zero.
Here's a delicious meal I recommend for a cold night like tonight.

BAKED POTATO SOUP
-3 tbsp butter
-1 cup finely chopped onion
-2 tbsp flour
-1 (14 1/2-ounce) can of Chicken broth
-4 medium baking potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2" cubes
-1/2 tsp salt
-1/4 tsp white pepper
-1/4 tsp black pepper
-1 tsp dried basil
-dash tobasco sauce
-1/2 tsp garlic salt
-1 cup half & half

Melt butter in a 2-quart saucepan on medium heat. Add onion and saute for 2 minutes. Sprinkle flour over the onions and cook about 5 minutes, stirring often. Gradually add chicken broth. Add potatoes, salt, white, peppers, basil, tabasco, and garlic salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer 20 minutes. Stir occasionally. Stir in half & half and heat through. Serves 4, but doubles easily.
Garnish with grated cheese, sour cream, crumbled bacon, chopped green onions.

FRENCH PEASANT BREAD
-1 package dry yeast
-2 cups warm water
-1 tbsp sugar
-2 tsp salt
-4 cups flour
-oil
-corn meal
-melted butter

Place yeast, water, sugar, and salt in warm bowl and stir until dissolved. Add flour and stir until blended. Do not knead. Cover and let rise one hour or until doubled in size. Flour hands, remove dough from the bowl and place in two rounds on and oiled cookie sheet sprinkled with corn meal. Let rise an additional hour. Brush top with melted butter and bake at 425 degrees for 10 minutes. Reduce oven temp to 375 degrees and cook an additional 15 minutes. Remove from oven and brush again with melted butter. Serve warm... Mm-mm!!