POTATO SOUP WITH KALE & BACON

Steps:

• 1. Peel potatoes and put in a pot with enough cold, salted water to cover.
• 2. Cover and bring to a boil.
• 3. Lower heat, uncover, and simmer until done, about 25 minutes.
• 4. Drain, reserving the cooking liquid.
• 5. Break up potatoes with a potato masher; they should be lumpy, not smooth.
• 6. Cook the bacon until crisp.
• 7. Drain and chop.
• 8. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons of the bacon fat, reserving the extra fat.
• 9. Stem and chop the kale.
• 10. Mince the garlic.
• 11. Cook half the kale and half the garlic in the 2 tablespoons bacon fat over medium heat until kale is wilted, about 1 minute.
• 12. Season with salt and pepper and transfer to a bowl.
• 13. Repeat with remaining kale and garlic, using the reserved bacon fat as needed.
• 14. Return all the kale to the frying pan and add the heavy cream.
• 15. Simmer over low heat until the kale is tender, about 10 minutes.
• 16. Mince the chives.
• 17. Recipe can be made to this point several hours ahead.
• 18. Cooking and Serving: Combine potatoes with about 4 cups of the reserved cooking liquid in a large pot.
• 19. Add more cooking liquid or water if too thick.
• 20. Add kale mixture to the pot and bring to a simmer.
• 21. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• 22. Pour into bowls and sprinkle with chives and bacon.