Baked Potato Soup

This soup is serious comfort food, perfect for an evening with your first snow of the season. You can bake the potatoes in the oven or make them in the microwave.

To bake potatoes in the microwave, prick each several times with a fork. Microwave 1 inch apart on paper towels at HIGH 14 minutes or until done, turning and rearranging after 5 minutes. Let cool.

5 large baking potatoes, baked
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 medium onion, chopped
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 quart half-and-half
3 cups milk
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground white pepper
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded Cheddar cheese
8 bacon slices, cooked and crumbled

Peel potatoes, and coarsely mash with a fork.

Melt butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat; add onion, and sauté until tender. Add flour, stirring until smooth. Stir in potatoes, half-and-half, and next 3 ingredients; cook over low heat until thoroughly heated. Top each serving with cheese, chives, sour cream and bacon.