Loaded Baked Potato Soup

I fiddled around with Zesty Potato Soup this afternoon and came up with a recipe that’s a keeper.

First, I found a package of bacon in the fridge that needed to be cooked up (yes, “needed” — expiration date near).   While it was sizzling on the griddle, I decided to really stink up the house and added some diced onion. It cooked right alongside the bacon until it was nice and carmelized.

I got my potatoes peeled and boiled them, and then to add a little bit of nutrition to this soup, I included cauliflower to the pot to cook with the potatoes during the last 5-10 minutes.  (I used about half as much cauliflower as potatoes.)

Once they were tender and starting to mush apart a little, I blended the mixture up with my hand blender, added milk, and just one slice of cheese (since there is a mouse in my house who swipes cheese when I’m not looking and that’s all I had).

I added the green chiles that are part of Zesty Potato Soup’s recipe, and then I scooped in about half of my onions, took a look at it, and dumped the rest of them in.  Then 4 strips of crumbled up bacon; and this thick, flavor-filled, yummy soup was the result of my impromptu kitchen session.  Not bad for having no idea what supper was going to be 2 hours ago!

8 small potatoes, peeled and cubed
1/2 small head cauliflower, trimmed
3 c water
1 t salt
1/2 c milk
1 oz american cheese
1/3 c chopped green chiles
1 c diced onions, carmelized
4 strips bacon, crumbled

Fry bacon and carmelize onions, together in a large skillet or griddle if possible so the flavors cook into each other. Drain and set aside separately. Add 1 teaspoon sugar and 1/2 teaspoon salt to the onions if you want to.

In a large saucepan, combine the potatoes, water, and salt.  Bring to boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 10-15 minutes.  Add cauliflower and allow to continue simmering for 5-10 more minutes.  Do Not Drain.

Mash potatoes in liquid until almost smooth.  Add milk, cheese, and chiles.  Cook and stir until cheese is melted, and add onions and bacon.  Add a little more milk if soup is too thick.  Serve piping hot.