Mmmm... SOUP!

I had a premonition that Florida was going to get a cold front moving in... either that, or I just paid attention to the Weather Channel for a change. Either way, yesterday "felt" like it should be a soup day, and today I am very glad I've got some on hand! Soup is one of my all-time favorite comfort foods, and when you add in cheese, bacon and potatoes, well... you just can't go wrong in my book! So here's my current fave, Cheddar Potato Soup with Bacon. Hope you like!

Ingredients:
.5 lb bacon slices
2 medium onions or 1 lg onion, minced
3 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
2 lb boiling potatoes, peeled and cut into .5 inch cubes
.5 c all-purpose flour
3.5 c water
3 c chicken broth
.5 c dry white wine
4 c grated sharp cheddar (about 16 oz)
4 T chopped fresh chives (optional, garnish)

Directions:
1. Cook bacon in a large heavy saucepan over medium heat until crisp. Transfer bacon with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain, reserving fat in pan.

2. Cook onion in reserved bacon fat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until softened. Add garlic and cook until softened.

3. In a measuring cup, stir together flour and water and add to onion/garlic mixture. Add potatoes and broth and stir well.

4. Simmer 7 - 10 minutes, or until potatoes are tender. Add wine and simmer another 2 minutes.

5. Reduce heat to low and gradually stir in cheddar (do not let boil). Rough chop bacon and add to soup.

6. Serve soup with garnish of chives, if desired.

This yields about 10 cups and takes about 45 minutes to prepare. SUPER tasty!