Courtesy of www.fortheloveofcooking.net

Potato Soup yields 8+ servings

INGREDIENTS:

• 6 slices lean bacon
• 1 small sweet yellow onion, diced
• 3 carrots, peeled and diced
• 3 stalks celery, diced
• 2 cloves of garlic
• Dash (or two) Cayenne pepper
• Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste
• 6 large russet potatoes, peeled and diced
• 8 cups chicken stock
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup of half and half or heavy cream (optional)
• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Pepper Jack or extra sharp cheddar, grated
• Bacon bits

DIRECTIONS:

1. Heat a very large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook until crispy on both sides. Remove from the Dutch oven and place on a paper towel then cut into bits; set aside. Remove all but 1 teaspoon of bacon grease from the Dutch oven.
2. Add the onion, carrot, and celery; cook, stirring often, for a couple of minutes. Add the minced garlic cayenne pepper, sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste then cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Add the diced potato and chicken broth. Cover with a lid and simmer for 30 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.
3. Add the milk then partially blend the soup with an immersion blender. Taste and re-season. Add the parsley and stir.
4. Ladle into bowls then top with shredded cheese and bacon bits. Enjoy.

Side Note: If you would like your soup to be a little more decadent and creamy, add 1/2 cup of half and half or heavy cream.

Enjoy your creamy potato soup with bacon!