Southern Livings Baked Potato Soup Recipes

CHEESY POTATO SOUP WITH BACON

Steps:

• Chop scallions, separating green and white parts. Set aside.
• Cook bacon in a large Dutch oven over medium, stirring occasionally, until crispy, 10 to 15 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a plate lined with paper towels, leaving 2 tablespoons of bacon drippings in Dutch oven.
• Add potatoes, onion, butter, garlic, and white scallion pieces to Dutch oven, and cook over medium until onions are slightly softened, 5 to 6 minutes. Add flour, salt, and pepper, and stir until all ingredients are coated. Cook, stirring constantly, 1 minute. Stir in broth until combined. Bring mixture to a boil. Then reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 12 minutes.
• Using a potato masher, lightly mash mixture, leaving some whole pieces of potato. Add white Cheddar and cream, stirring until cheese melts. Keep warm.
• Ladle soup into bowls. Top servings with bacon, green scallion pieces, and yellow Cheddar.

CHEDDAR POTATO SOUP WITH BACON

Steps:

• Chop bacon and in a large heavy saucepan cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until crisp. Transfer bacon with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain, reserving fat in pan.
• While bacon is cooking, chop onion. Peel potatoes and cut into 1/2-inch cubes. Cook onion in reserved fat over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened. In a measuring cup stir together flour and water and add to onion with potatoes and broth. Simmer mixture 5 minutes, or until potatoes are just tender. Add wine and simmer 1 minute.
• Reduce heat to low and gradually stir in Cheddar (do not let boil).
• Divide soup among 4 bowls and sprinkle with bacon and chives.