Potato Soup

I have made potato soup before, but I have not been able to get a lot of flavor in it. After many attempts, Corey and I finally came up with a recipe we love. We have enjoyed cooking together lately in the kitchen. Not only does it help us bond and spend time together, but the kids have also started becoming interested in food and how it is prepared. We have started venturing into recipes we do not typically make during the week and this potato soup was perfect for a chilly night outside.

The ingredients are pretty basic and are usually household essentials. They include potatoes (of course), flour, bacon, butter (the real stuff), milk, sour cream, chicken stock or chicken bouillon cubes, onions (fun fact - we like to wait until ours sprouts so we have green onions without having to buy them), cheddar cheese, salt and pepper, and garlic powder.

First, start with crisping the bacon in the pot (we used the already to be used soup pot), so the flavor would stay in. Once the bacon is almost crispy (where it starts to smell like popcorn), get it out, put aside, and save the grease. You just need a few tablespoons of the grease in the pot, so if you have more than that, you can throw the rest out. Then to the bacon grease you will add in your chopped onions until they are fragrant and translucent. Once the onions have cooked for about 30 seconds, add in your flour and butter to make a rue. As soon as the paste comes together add in the milk and chicken stock (or bouillon cubes and water). Bring this to a low simmer and add in your cubed potatoes. We liked to add in a little more butter after this step along with some shakes of salt and pepper and garlic powder. Cook for about 15 minutes, until potatoes are soft (stirring often so no sticking occurs). Once the potatoes are tender and can be smashed, you can grab your potato masher and get to town. Desired preference of how much you want it mashed is up to you. I like mine mostly mashed with few chunky potatoes, while my husband prefers more potatoes. Once the consistency is how you prefer, you can add in your bacon and sour cream. Taste test to see if you need to add any more salt and pepper and garlic powder. Last, grab a good helping and garnish with green onions or chives and cheddar cheese. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

• Potatoes - Around 1 1/2 pound

• Bacon - 4-5 strips (save 2-3 tablespoons of bacon grease)

• Milk - 2 Cup

• Chicken Stock or Bouillon Cubes - 2 cups

• Sour Cream - 1/4 cup

• Garlic Powder - To desired taste - we did 1 teaspoon

• Salt and Pepper - To desired taste

• 1 Small Onion - Chopped

• Chives or Green Onions - Chopped for garnish

• Flour - 1/4 cup

• Butter - 1/2 Stick (1/4 for rue, 1/4 for later)