Soup for a Winter Sunday

It has snowed six inches in the night, and the clouds are low and gloomy this morning.  Frost lines the windows, but the fireplace is snapping merrily inside, and my craft room is full of projects for the day.  I'm going to make one of our family's favorite winter meals for supper:  baked potato soup.  Pair this with warm biscuits dripping with butter, and winter won't feel so dreary!

Baked Potato Soup

Ingredients:
12 slices bacon
2/3 cup butter
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
7 cups milk
4 large baked potatoes,  cooked and cubed
4 green onions, chopped
1-1/4 cups shredded cheddar or cheddar/jack cheese
1 cup sour cream
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground black pepper

Steps:

• Place bacon in large, deep skillet.  Cook over medium heat until browned.  Drain, crumble, and set aside.
• In stock pot or Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat.
• Whisk in flour until smooth.
• Gradually stir in milk, whisking constantly until thickened. 
• Stir in potatoes and onions. Bring to a boil, stirring often.
• Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes. 
• Mix in bacon, cheese, sour cream, salt and pepper.
• Continue cooking, stirring frequently, until cheese is melted.

This will yield six generous servings.  Yum!