To make potato soup, follow these general steps for a creamy, comforting result:
Ingredients (basic)
- Potatoes (peeled and diced)
- Onion (chopped)
- Butter
- Broth (chicken or vegetable)
- Milk or cream
- Flour (for thickening)
- Seasonings (salt, pepper, herbs)
- Optional: bacon, cheese, garlic, celery, carrots
Basic Method
- Cook aromatics and vegetables:
Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onions (and optional carrots, celery) and cook until softened. Add garlic and herbs if using, cooking briefly until fragrant
- Add flour to thicken:
Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and cook for about a minute to form a roux, which will thicken the soup
- Add broth and potatoes:
Slowly whisk in broth to avoid lumps, then add diced potatoes and bay leaf if desired. Bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer until potatoes are tender (about 15-20 minutes)
- Blend part of the soup:
To achieve a creamy texture, remove a portion of the soup and blend until smooth, then stir it back into the pot. Alternatively, use an immersion blender to partially blend the soup
- Finish with dairy and seasoning:
Stir in milk, cream, or half-and-half, and cheese if desired. Heat gently until warmed through and slightly thickened. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper
- Add toppings and serve:
Garnish with crispy bacon bits, fresh herbs like chives or parsley, shredded cheese, or sour cream according to preference
Example of a simple recipe summary:
- Cook bacon until crisp; set aside and reserve some fat.
- Sauté onion, carrot, celery in bacon fat or butter.
- Add flour, cook briefly.
- Add broth and potatoes, simmer until tender.
- Blend part of soup, return to pot.
- Stir in cream and seasonings.
- Serve topped with bacon, cheese, and herbs
This method yields a rich, creamy potato soup that can be customized with your favorite toppings and seasonings
