Loaded Potato Soup

Total Time: 45 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• 1/2 lb bacon, chopped into thin strips
• 2 lbs potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 4 tablespoons flour
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups half-and-half
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon celery seed
• 1 large bay leaf
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Recipe

• 1 place washed, peeled, diced potatoes in a 5 quart pot.
• 2 add chicken broth, salt, pepper, celery seed and bay leaf to pot.
• 3 place pot over medium heat and allow to come to a boil.
• 4 let potatoes cook until tender, then remove the bay leaf.
• 5 smash the potatoes slightly against the side of the pot. (i like to leave some larger chunks of potatoes in mine, but you can also use a hand blender to process until smooth.)
• 6 turn heat to low and allow to simmer.
• 7 while potatoes are cooking, place bacon strips into a large skillet and render until bacon is crisp.
• 8 pour bacon and fat from the pan into a strainer to reserve the fat.
• 9 add 4 tbsp of fat back to pan and add onions.
• 10 saute until onions are translucent.
• 11 add flour to onions and cook while stirring for no more than 2 minutes.
• 12 slowly incorporate half and half to this mixture adding small amounts and stirring well after each addition. remove from heat.
• 13 slowly pour cream mixture into simmering potato broth.
• 14 turn off heat and add cheese, stir until cheese melts.
• 15 serve with bacon pieces and additional cheese.