Baked Potato Soup

Total Time: 1 hr Preparation Time: 1 hr

Ingredients

• 3 lbs bacon, raw and chopped
• 1 cup bacon grease
• 6 cups celery, diced
• 6 cups onions, diced
• 1 tablespoon garlic, chopped
• 2 cups flour
• 8 ounces chicken base
• 1 1/2 gallons hot water
• 20 lbs potatoes, diced
• 1/4 cup basil, dry
• 1/3 cup kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons pepper
• 3 quarts half-and-half cream
• 1/2 gallon hot water, separated
• 1/2 cup parsley flakes, dry
• 2 cups sour cream

Recipe

• 1 1. whisk chicken base into 1-1/2 gallons of hot water until base is completely dissolved.
• 2 2.in kettle or tilt skillet on medium-high heat, sauté bacon in bacon grease until bacon is light brown in color.
• 3 3. add celery, onions, garlic, basil, kosher salt and pepper, and sauté for 10 minutes.
• 4 4. add flour and cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly so flour does not burn.
• 5 5. add chicken stock and simmer for 20 minutes.
• 6 6. add potatoes to kettle. simmer for 20 minutes, stirring gently.
• 7 7. add second measure of hot water. continue to stir and bring back to a simmer.
• 8 8.combine half and half, sour cream and parsley flakes in large mixing bowl.
• 9 9. add half and half mixture to kettle and bring to a boil, stirring gently.
• 10 10.turn off heat.