Loaded Potato Soup

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
Yield: 4 Servings

Ingredients:

• 1/2 head of broccoli, chopped finely
• 2 potatoes, peeled and diced
• 5 slices of bacon
• 2 Tbsp. bacon grease reserved
• 2 Tbsp. butter
• 1/4 cup yellow onion, diced
• 1/3 cup flour
• 2 cups low fat milk
• 1 cup Half and Half
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. pepper
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup sour cream

For Serving:

• Reserve some bacon and cheddar cheese
• Green Onion
• Bread

Directions:

1. Chop half a head of broccoli and steam for 5 minutes.  Set aside.
2. Peel and dice both potatoes and boil for about 15 minutes or until just fork soft. Drain and set aside.
3. Cook bacon and drain fat.  Reserve 2 Tbsp. of bacon fat for later.  Let cool and chop.  Set aside.
4. In a soup pot, combine bacon grease, butter, and onion on medium heat.  Once the butter is melted, whisk in the flour to create a roux. Cook for a couple minutes then stir in milk, half and half, and chicken broth.  Stir in seasonings.
5. Bring to a boil then simmer to thicken, about 10 minutes.
6. Reserve some cheese and bacon for topping.
7. Stir in cheddar cheese and sour cream and simmer until heated through.
8. Stir in broccoli, potatoes, and bacon.
9. Spoon into a bowl and top with cheese, bacon, and green onion.  Serve with bread.