I made this soup last weekend and it was a huge hit. I hope you enjoy it as much as our family and friends did.
Ingredients:
5 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and diced
Water for boiling, reserve 3 cups of the starchy water
Salt to taste
3 tablespoons chicken bouillon granules
1 pound bacon, fried crisp, ¼ cup bacon grease reserved
1 large onion, diced
2 stalks celery, diced fine
3 cloves garlic
3 tablespoons butter
¼ cup flour
1 ½ cup heavy cream
2 cups sharp white cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Sour cream, for garnish
Spring onion, for garnish
Directions:
In a large boiler bring potatoes, water, salt and chicken bouillon to a boil. Reduce heat and continue to boil potatoes until tender, approximately 15 minutes. Drain and reserve 3 cups of the starchy water. In a Dutch oven, fry bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon from pan, and set aside. Drain off all but 1/4 cup of the bacon grease. In the bacon grease, sauté the celery and onion until onion is translucent. Add the garlic, and continue cooking for 1 to 2 minutes. Add butter and allow to melt. Add flour to butter, onion and celery mixture. Cook stirring constantly for 2 – 3 minutes. Slowly whisk heavy cream into flour mixture. Whisk until cream and flour are smooth. Slowly add reserved starchy water to cream mixture. Add potatoes and bacon to the pot and simmer for 15 – 20 minutes. Add cheese to soup and season with salt and pepper. Garnish bowls of soup with sour cream and spring onion.
Sass! 