Potato Soup With Cheese And Bacon

• 8 slices bacon, chopped
• 4 medium size leeks, white part only, chopped (about 6 cups)
• 5 large garlic cloves, chopped small
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, stripped from the stems (chopped)
• 1 tablespoon Hungarian paprika
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
• 4 lbs yukon gold potatoes, peeled and diced (4 large potatoes)
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 3 drops Tabasco sauce
• 1 cup shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded parmigiano-reggiano cheese
• 1/2 cup chopped scallion (to garnish)
• 1/2 cup sour cream (to garnish)
• 1/2 teaspoon Hungarian paprika (to garnish)

1. In a large heavy-bottomed cooking pot, cook the bacon over medium-high heat until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes.
2. Remove the cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and reserve.
3. While the bacon is cooking, fill a large bowl with cold water and add the chopped leeks and swish vigorously to release any possible grit.
4. Using a slotted spoon, remove the leeks to a paper towel-lined bowl to absorb any water.
5. Add the leeks and garlic to the bacon fat in the cooking pot and cook until tender, 4 to 5 minutes.
6. To the cooking pot, add thyme, paprika, salt, pepper, potatoes, chicken broth, and Tabasco sauce and bring up to a bubble over high heat.
7. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until the potatoes are cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes.
8. When the potatoes are tender, using an immersion blender or puree in a food processor until the soup is smooth.
9. Add cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese and heat until melted, whisking all the time until well blended, 3 to 4 minutes.
10. Adjust seasonings to taste, salt, pepper and Tabasco sauce.
11. Serve the soup in bowls, topped with chopped scallions, a sprinkle of reserved bacon, a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of paprika.

bacon, leeks, garlic, thyme, paprika, salt, white pepper, gold potatoes, chicken broth, tabasco sauce, cheddar cheese, cheese, scallion, sour cream, paprika

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/potato-soup-with-cheese-and-bacon-353873 (may not work)