POTATO, BACON, AND GRUYèRE SOUP

Potato, Bacon, and Gruyère Soup image

Yield Makes about 10 cups

Number Of Ingredients 10

4 slices bacon, chopped
3 medium onions, chopped fine
3 cups chicken broth
3 1/4 cups water
3 pounds boiling potatoes (preferably yellow-fleshed)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 pound Gruyère cheese, grated (about 2 1/2 cups)
1 tablespoon Madeira or Sherry if desired
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves

Steps:

In a heavy kettle (at least 5 quarts) cook bacon over moderate heat, stirring, until crisp and spoon off all but 1 tablespoon fat. Add onions and sauté over moderately high heat, stirring, until pale golden. Add broth and 3 cups of water and bring to a boil.
Peel potatoes and cut into 3/4-inch cubes. Add potatoes to soup and simmer, covered, 10 minutes.
In a small bowl whisk together flour and remaining 1/4 cup water until smooth and add to simmering soup, whisking. Simmer soup, covered, 5 minutes.
In a blender purée Gruyère with 3 cups hot soup broth. Stir purée into soup with Madeira, Worcestershire sauce, and salt and pepper to taste and remove soup from heat. Soup may be prepared up to this point 3 days ahead (cool uncovered before chilling covered). Reheat over low heat but do not let boil.
Just before serving, stir in parsley.