BONNIE'S OLD-FASHIONED POTATO SOUP WITH BACON

BONNIE'S OLD-FASHIONED POTATO SOUP WITH BACON image

Provided by BonniE !

Time 50m

Number Of Ingredients 17

2 medium sized russet potatoes, peeled, large dice
1/2 pound (8 ounces) lean bacon, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
1/2 cup celery chopped
1/2 cup carrot chopped
2 tablespoons bacon grease
2 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons all purpose flour (gluten free substitute flour below)
4 cups clear chicken stock
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon dried leaf basil
1 teaspoon celery powder (I pulse celery seed in my bullet)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 large bay leaf
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup chopped parsley

Steps:

1. Wash, peel and chop the potatoes, carrots, and celery.
2. In a large, deep skillet, fry the chopped bacon until brown, and reserve 2 TBSP of the grease to make a roux.
3. Saute the potatoes, onion, celery and carrots in the remaining grease in the skillet until the onion is translucent. Drain and spoon the vegetables out of the skillet and set aside. Wipe out the skillet with a paper towel. Heat the skillet over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of bacon grease and 2 tablespoons of butter. When a pinch of flour makes the oil bubble, Stir in 4 tablespoons of flour and make a simple roux. Let it bubble for a couple of minutes, or until it starts to turn a very light brown.
4. My substitute for All Purpose Flour is My Kitchen Flour and consists of equal parts of these four flours: MY KITCHEN FLOUR Brown rice flour, superfine cornstarch potato starch tapioca flour
5. Using a whisk, add the 4 cups of chicken stock, slowly to the roux.
6. Return the pre-cooked vegetables to the skillet and add the seasonings: basil, celery powder, garlic powder and the bay leaf, salt and pepper. Stir the mixture.
7. Cook over medium low heat until the potatoes are about half done, about 20 minutes, then add the bacon, heavy cream and the parsley.
8. Simmer on lowest setting until potatoes are tender, about 10 to 15 minutes. Check the seasoning to see if it needs more salt.
9. Remove the bay leaf and serve with crusty bread.