Potato Bacon Soup

Potato Bacon Soup

I've been thinking...  we might be a soup loving family.  It seems as if we have soup at least once a week.  Potato bacon soup just happens to be a favorite around here.  It's just a super cozy gotta have it on a crisp fall day kind of soup.  It's so creamy and delicious...  and bacon-y!  Here's what you need:

*  8-10 medium sized idaho or russet potatoes, cubed large
*  3 medium carrots, sliced thick
*  3 celery stalks, sliced thick
*  3 or 4 green onions, chopped
*  one package of bacon... cooked crisp and crumbled
*  4 oz sour cream
*  1/2 cup milk
*  1/4 cup instant potato flakes
*  salt, pepper, garlic powder  to taste
*  just a pinch or two of cajun seasoning...  (maybe like 5 shakes)
*  water.

Here's what to do:  Put potatoes, carrots, celery, green onions and seasonings into a large pot, cover with water and cook at medium high, stirring regularly, until potatoes are soft enough to poke a fork through easily, but not to the point where they fall apart.  While veggies are cooking, cook the bacon.  I like to put about 2 or 3  cooking spoons full of bacon grease into my soup, but it's not 100% necessary.
Once the potatoes are cooked through, stir in the milk and sour cream.  Then add the potato flakes.  Stir again...  it will thicken just a bit.  Right at the end add the crumbled bacon.  Ladle into soup bowls and top with cheese if you like.  This soup is so amazing, I'm sure you will make it again and again and again.