Baked Potato Soup

I read somewhere last week that a way to cure the winter "blues" was to eat potatoes.  They contain a chemical that helps produce serotonin in your body and give you a "happy mellow feeling".  I had never known before that potatoes could do this but after my husband and I ate this soup we didn't seem to mind the cold, snow or ice building up outside.  It was delicious and certainly filling enough for dinner with a side salad.  I haven't made a lot of soups in the past but this one was very easy and so good I will be making it again very soon.

Adapted from http://www.goodlifeeats.com/

Ingredients:

6 baking potatoes (2-1/2 pounds)
2 tbsp butter
2/3 cup all purpose flour
6 cups milk (I used lactaid 2%)
5 ounces shredded cheddar cheese, plus extra for garnish
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp paprika
1 cup reduced-fat sour cream
3/4 cup chopped green onions, divided
10 slices center cut bacon, cooked and crumbled

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Pierce potatoes with a fork, bake for an hour or until tender. Cool and then peel potatoes discarding skins.

Coarsely mash the potatoes.

Melt butter in a large dutch oven.  Add flour, whisking to combine with butter.  Gradually add milk, stirring with a whisk until blended.  Cook over medium heat until thick and bubbly (about 8 minutes).  Add mashed potatoes, cheese, salt, pepper, and paprika, stirring until cheese melts.  Remove from heat.

Stir in sour cream and 1/2 cup green onions.  Cook over low heat for 10 minutes or until thoroughly heated.  Do not boil.  Spoon into bowls.  Top each serving with cheese, onions, and bacon.

Enjoy!   Susan

This is linked to www.gooseberrypatch.com

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