Monday, September 9, 2013

Perfect Potato Soup
a la The Pioneer Woman

6 slices
Thin Bacon, Cut Into 1-inch Pieces
1 whole
Medium Onion, Diced
3 whole
Carrots, Scrubbed Clean And Diced
3 stalks
Celery, Diced
6 whole
Small Russet Potatoes, Peeled And Diced
8 cups
Low Sodium Chicken Or Vegetable Broth
3 Tablespoons
All-purpose Flour
1 cup
Milk
1/2 cup
Heavy Cream
1/2 teaspoon
Salt, More To Taste
Black Pepper To Taste 
1/2 teaspoon Cajun Spice Mix 
1 teaspoon Minced Fresh Parsley
1 cup
Grated Cheese Of Your Choice


Add bacon pieces to a soup pot over medium heat and cook bacon until crisp and fat is rendered. Remove the bacon from the pot and set it aside. Pour off most of the grease, but do not clean the pot.
Return the hot to medium-high heat and add the onions, carrots, and celery. Stir and cook for 2 minutes or so, then add the diced potatoes. Cook for 5 minutes, seasoning with salt, pepper, and Cajun spice.
Pour in the broth and bring it to a gentle boil. Cook for 10 minutes, or until the potatoes are starting to get tender. Whisk together the flour and the milk, then pour into the soup and allow the soup to cook for another 5 minutes.
Remove half to 2/3 the soup and blend in a blender/food process until completely smooth. Pour it back into the soup pot and stir to combine. Let it heat back up as you taste for seasonings, adding more of what it needs. Stir in cream, then stir in parsley, reserving a little for garnish.
Serve in bowls garnished with parsley, grated cheese and crisp bacon pieces.

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