Baked Potato Soup

I know you are all tired of hearing me complain about how cold it is. Which is especially funny since it is currently 41 degrees. It just feels really cold! I am on my second cup of apple cider this afternoon and I'm not really minding folding laundry...because it is warm.

Last night my solution to the cold was soup. It was sooooo delicious I thought I would share.

Remember it is still winter and we are still wearing big sweaters and jeans. We aren't too worried about calories...yet!

Baked Potato Soup

1 lb. bacon
1 onion, chopped
3 tsp minced garlic
3/4 c. flour
1 Tbsp salt
1 Tbsp basil
1 1/2 tsp. pepper
9 c. chicken broth
6 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
3 c. half-n-half
1/2 tsp. cayanne pepper
parsely
shredded cheddar
sour cream

In large stock pot, cook bacon until crisp. Spoon out and drain off fat. Saute onion & garlic in bacon drippings until tender. Stir in flour, salt, basil & pepper. Mix well. Gradually add broth. Bring to a boil and stir for 2 minutes. Add potatoes and cook for 15 minutes. Add cream, cayanne pepper, bacon pieces, and parsley. Heat thru until potoatoes are tender, but DO NOT BOIL. This basically means you are stuck in your kitchen, so pull out a magazine and stir the soup often. Garnish with shredded cheese and a dollup (an official amount) of sour cream.

I served this with raw veggies and some bread and I was in heaven...or just about. I'm pretty sure this will be served at the banquet table that God has gone to prepare for us! The leftovers were yummy for lunch today even without the cheese or sour cream.