Baked Potato Soup

This recipe has quickly become one of my favorites and it has been requested quite a few times by people in my family to make when we all get together.  This is thick and hearty and I guarantee there won't be any leftovers!  Enjoy!











1 lb. package bacon
6 cups (3lbs.) Chicken broth
5-6 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 quart half & half
6 tbsp. flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
2 tbsp. minced onion
1 tsp. dried basil
2 tsp. minced garlic
1 tsp. hot pepper sauce
1 package cheddar cheese


Cook bacon according to package instruction, (whichever method you prefer, I always cook mine in the oven).  When bacon is done cooking, remove and place on a plate with paper towels to cool and to soak up some of the grease.  Reserve 2 tbsp of the bacon grease.
In a large pot, pour reserved grease into pot and cook on medium low heat while adding onion and garlic to pot.  Simmer for just a minute and then stir in flour, salt, pepper, and basil, mix well.  You want all the grease soaked up by the flour, be careful not to burn to the mixture.  Gradually add chicken broth and bring mixture up to a boil for 2 minutes while constantly stirring (with a whisk) to ensure it does not stick and burn to the bottom of the pot.  Reduce heat to medium and stir in the half & half and hot pepper sauce.  Last add the potatoes and stir.  Leave on medium heat to make sure that you don't boil the soup.  This is going to need to cook for at least 30 minutes to get the potatoes cooked through, maybe more if the potatoes are big.  I take a potato out and check the consistency with a fork after 30 minutes and go from there.  This can also be put on low heat and simmered for several hours.
After bacon is cooled and firm, place on cutting board and chop into pieces for garnish.  When soup is ready, serve in bowls with cheddar cheese and bacon as garnish.

Pair this with my recipe for Cheddar Biscuits and you've got a wonderful meal for a cold night!

**Please excuse the lame picture of potatoes, forgot to take a picture last time I made this!  No copyright infrigements intended, I do not own this picture! :)