COMFORTING POTATO SOUP
Author: Tag Sale Tastes
Ingredients
  • 4 slices bacon, cut into ½" pieces
  • 3 medium carrots, peeled and diced
  • 3 stalks celery, diced
  • 3 large russet potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 8 cups chicken broth
  • 3 tablespoons flour
  • 1 cup milk (can use low-fat)
  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ cup half and half
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Grated cheddar, optional topping
  • Chopped chives or green onions, optional topping
Instructions
  1. Place bacon in a large stockpot over medium-high heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until bacon is crisp. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon to a plate lined with a paper towel, and reserve for sprinkling on top of soup. Pour off all but approximately 1 tablespoon of the bacon fat.
  2. Add the carrots and the celery to the pot, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3-4 minutes, then add the potatoes. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-6 minutes. Add the broth and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are very tender, approximately 15 minutes. In a small bowl, whisk together milk and flour, and add to soup. Simmer for another 5 minutes, then add onion powder and garlic powder.
  3. Puree the soup using an immersion (stick) blender (preferred) or blender. (If using a blender, puree soup in batches, filling blender no more than half full, to avoid having hot soup explode out of the blender.)
  4. Return pureed soup to pot. Stir in half and half. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve hot garnished with bacon, grated cheddar, and chives or green onions, as desired.
Recipe by Tag Sale Tastes at https://www.tagsaletastes.com/2016/05/23/comforting-potato-soup/