POTATO SOUP WITH VELVEETA CHEESE AND BACON RECIPES

Steps:

• Chop onion, carrot, celery, garlic in a chopper or mini food processor.
• In a large soup pot, melt butter.  Add chopped vegetables and sauté on low heat until soft, about 5 minutes.
• Add flour, salt and pepper to the pot and stir until smooth.
• Add chicken broth, milk and potatoes and set heat to high until it comes to a boil, then cover and cook on low until potatoes are soft, about 10-15 minutes.
• Add broccoli florets, Parmesan cheese, and stir well. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Cook uncovered until broccoli is cooked, about 5 minutes.
• Add cheddar and American cheese, stir well and remove from heat.
• Using an immersion blender quickly blend part of the soup for a quick second or two. If you don't have an immersion blender, remove about 1-2 cups of potatoes and broccoli, place it in your chopper, then add it back to the soup. This helps thicken it a bit.

Steps:

• Dice unpeeled red potatoes into 1/2 inch cubes.
• Place in large saucepan; cover with water and bring to a boil.
• Let boil for 10 minutes or until 3/4 cooked.
• In a separate pan, combine melted margarine and flour, mixing until smooth.
• Place over low heat and gradually add half-and-half, stirring constantly.
• Continue to stir until smooth and liquid begins to thicken.
• Add melted Velveeta.
• Stir well.
• Drain potatoes and add to cream mixture.
• Stir in pepper, garlic powder and hot pepper sauce.
• Cover and cook over low heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Place soup into individual serving bowls and top with crumbled bacon, shredded cheese, chives and parsley.