CREAMY POTATO SOUP WITH BACON AND CHEDDAR RECIPES

Steps:

• Chop onions and celery, if using a food processor don’t chop these too fine.
• In a large saucepan, sauté onion and celery in 4 ounces of butter until tender.
• Add potatoes and broth, bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes till potatoes are tender.
• In a small skillet, melt remaining 4 ounces of butter, add flour to make roux, cook roux over low heat until yellow blond in color and set aside.
• To cooked potato and broth mixture, add water, cream and roux stirring continuously until mixture thickens.
• Stir in the cheese, bacon bits, parsley, pepper and paprika.
• Cook over low heat until the cheese is melted, stir continuously and remove from heat when cheese is melted.
• Garnish with croutons, if desired.

Steps:

• In 2-quart saucepan, heat water, butter and salt to boiling over medium-high heat. Remove from heat. Stir in milk and potatoes (dry) just until moistened. Let stand about 30 seconds or until liquid is absorbed; whip with fork. Set aside.
• In 6-quart heavy stockpot, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Use slotted spoon to transfer bacon to paper towels, leaving drippings in stockpot. Add onion and pepper to stockpot. Cook 4 to 5 minutes or until onions are translucent and lightly browned. Add potatoes and broth to stockpot. Beat with whisk until ingredients are well combined. Continue to cook until heated through.
• Transfer soup to bowls. Top with bacon, cheese and green onion.