Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups peeled and diced potatoes (about 4-5 medium-sized potatoes)
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 cup milk (whole or 2%)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional, for topping)
- Chopped chives or green onions for garnish
- Cooked and crumbled bacon for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
1. Sauté Onion:
- In a large soup pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes, until it becomes translucent.
2. Add Garlic and Potatoes:
- Stir in the minced garlic and the diced potatoes. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Pour in Broth:
- Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth, and add the bay leaf and dried thyme. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
4. Simmer:
- Bring the mixture to a boil. Then, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
5. Remove Bay Leaf:
- Remove and discard the bay leaf from the soup.
6. Blend:
- Use an immersion blender to carefully blend the soup until it’s smooth and creamy. Alternatively, you can transfer the soup in batches to a blender and blend until smooth. Be cautious when blending hot liquids.
7. Add Milk and Cream:
- Return the blended soup to the pot. Stir in the milk and heavy cream. Heat the soup over low heat, being careful not to let it boil. Stir until it’s well heated.
8. Check Consistency:
- Check the consistency of the soup. If it’s too thick, you can add more milk or broth to reach your preferred thickness.
9. Taste and Adjust:
- Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
10. Serve:
- Ladle the hot potato soup into bowls.
11. Garnish:
- If desired, top each bowl with shredded cheddar cheese, chopped chives or green onions, and cooked and crumbled bacon.
12. Enjoy your homemade potato soup! It’s a hearty and creamy comfort food perfect for warming up on a cold day. Serve it with a slice of crusty bread or a salad for a complete meal.