perfect potato soup

Perfect Potato Soup

Ree is a bit picky about potato soups, which is exactly why you can trust that this recipe is seriously good. It's not too creamy, has a variation in texture, and is full of flavor.

Ingredient

    • 6 slices thin bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
    • 1 whole medium onion, diced
    • 3 whole carrots, scrubbed clean and diced
    • 3 stalks celery, diced
    • 6 whole small russet potatoes, peeled and diced
    • 1/2 tsp. kosher salt, plus more to taste
    • Black pepper, to taste
    • 1/2 tsp. Cajun spice mix
    • 8 c. low sodium chicken or vegetable broth
    • 3 tbsp. all-purpose flour
    • 1 c. milk
    • 1/2 c. heavy cream
    • 1 tsp. minced fresh parsley
    • 1 c. grated cheese of your choice

Instructions

    1. To a soup pot over medium heat, add the bacon pieces and cook until crisp and the fat is rendered. Remove the bacon from the pot and set it aside. Pour off most of the grease, but do not clean the pot.
    2. 2Return the pot to medium-high heat and add the onion, carrot, and celery. Stir and cook for 2 minutes or so, then add the diced potatoes. Cook for 5 minutes, seasoning with salt, pepper, and Cajun spice.
    3. 3Pour in the broth and bring it to a gentle boil. Cook for 10 minutes, or until the potatoes start to get tender. Whisk together the flour and the milk, then pour it into the soup and allow the soup to cook for another 5 minutes.
    4. 4Remove half to two-thirds of the soup and blend, in batches, in a blender or food processor until completely smooth. (Note: Use caution when blending hot soup; if possible, allow the soup to cool before blending.) Pour it back into the soup pot and stir to combine. Let it heat back up as you taste for seasonings, adding more of what it needs. Stir in the cream, then stir in the parsley, reserving a little for garnish.
    5. 5Serve in bowls with parsley, cheese, and crisp bacon pieces.