Baked Potato Soup

Baked Potato Soup

Ingredients:
6 russet potatoes, chopped into large pieces
2 celery stalks, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 pieces bacon, cut into 1 inch pieces
4 cups milk
bouillon
1/2 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, minced
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
salt
pepper

Directions:
Place potatoes in large pot, cover with water, add a half teaspoon salt, and boil until soft. Drain and set aside.

Fry bacon until crispy in your soup pot. Make sure you do this in batches so you don't overcrowd the bacon. Do NOT clean the pan. Pour off most of the bacon grease, but leave approximately 1 tablespoon in the pot. Add onion, carrots, celery, salt, and pepper to the pot and cook over medium high heat for a few minutes, or until the onions are translucent. Scrape the bottom of the pan as you stir the vegetables to get as much of the bacon remnants into the soup. Add garlic and chili pepper in adobo sauce and cook an additional 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add potatoes to the pot and cook another minute or two.

Turn heat to medium-low and add milk and bouillon. Stir well to combine. Using a blender (immersion or regular - or if you don't have something for that use a potato masher) puree half to two thirds of the soup and return to the pot. Add cheddar cheese and stir until cheese is melted.

Just prior to serving the soup top with a few pieces of bacon, and additional cheese if desired. Fresh parsley makes a nice bright green garnish and can be minced and added to the soup if desired.

Note: if you're making a large batch this soup keeps well in the refrigerator, just place the bacon pieces in a separate container from the soup and add to the soup during the last bit of reheating. I tend to put soup in single serving portions in mason jars, and then tape a baggie of bacon to the top of the jar.