POTATO SOUP

– Warm, comforting, and so delicious, this classic potato soup is the ultimate bowl of comfort food. Becuase more cheese is always better, this classic soup gets a double hit of cheese–both stirred into the soup and sprinkled over the top. Bacon bits lend a baked potato flavor and feel to this creamy, crowd-pleasing soup. Simply place the ingredients into a slow cooker and let it do all of the work for you.

To Make this Recipe You’Il Need the following ingredients:

Ingredients

2 1/2 pounds baby red potatoes, sliced into small bite sized pieces
1/2 lb. uncooked bacon, finely diced
1 medium onion, diced
1/4 bunch celery, diced
8 cups milk
3 cups water
4 chicken bouillon cubes (use 1 cup of the hot potato water to dissolve, then use the 3 cups of water)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
3/4 cup salted butter
3/4 cup flour
1/4 bunch freshly chopped parsley
1 cup whipping cream
For garnish
Shredded cheese
fried bacon bits
chopped green onions

Directions:

In large pot, boil potatoes in water 10 minutes. Drain and set aside. In sauté pan, cook bacon until crisp. Drain bacon fat and place on paper towel over plate to drain more. Add onion and celery to bacon pan over medium-high heat until celery is tender, about 5 minutes. To the large potato pan, add milk, water, bullion, salt and pepper. Cook over medium-high heat until mixture is very hot, about 8 minutes, stirring often. Do not let mixture boil. In small, heavy saucepan melt butter. Add flour and mix well. Cook over medium-low heat until mixture bubbles, stirring 2 to 3 minutes to make a roux. While constantly stirring soup, add roux slowly until soup is thick and creamy, about 4 minutes. Stir in parsley, reserved potatoes, and cream. Garnish with cheese, bacon bits, onions or all three. Serve hot.