Bacon & Baked Potato Soup

• 2 russet baking potatoes (6-8 oz.each) or 2 yukon gold baking potatoes (6-8 oz.each)
• 3 tablespoons unsalted. butter (less if possible) or 3 tablespoons unsalted margarine (less if possible)
• 12 cup chopped onion
• 14 cup chopped celery
• 12 cup sliced button mushroom
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 12 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed
• 14 teaspoon salt
• 18 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 pinches crushed red pepper flakes (optional, more if needed)
• 4 cups half-and-half (we used 2% milk) or 4 cups light cream (we used 2% milk) or 4 cups milk (we used 2% milk) or 4 cups soymilk (we used 2% milk)
• 2 -3 cherry tomatoes (for color)
• 1 14 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (5 ounces)
• 1 cup low sodium chicken broth or 1 cup low sodium vegetable broth
• 8 slices of peppery rubbed bacon (crispy broken pieces, please the real thing) or 8 slices turkey bacon (crispy broken pieces, please the real thing)
• 3 tablespoons thinly sliced green onions
• 14 cup sour cream

1. Scrub potatoes with a vegetable brush; pat dry & prick with a fork.
2. Bake in a 425 degrees F oven for 40-60 minutes or until tender; cool.
3. Peel potatoes, if desired, & chop potatoes; set aside.
4. In a heavy large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt butter or margarine over medium heat.
5. Add onions, celery, & sliced mushrooms.
6. Cook and stir about 5 minutes or until crisp-tender.
7. Stir in flour, thyme, salt, pepper & crushed red pepper.
8. Add half-and-half, or milk, or soy milk all at once, as well as, cherry tomatoes.
9. Cook and stir for 5-6 minutes or until thickened and bubbly.
10. Add potatoes, 1 cup of the cheese, and the broth; stir until cheese melts.
11. Slightly mash potatoes with the back of a spoon or a potato masher.
12. For the topping, reserve 2 tablespoons of the bacon.
13. Stir the remaining bacon and 1 tablespoon of the green onion into soup.
14. Heat through.
15. To serve, top each serving with reserved bacon, remaining 1/4 cup cheese, green onions and the sour cream.
16. ENJOY!

potatoes, butter, onion, celery, button mushroom, allpurpose, thyme, salt, ground black pepper, red pepper, milk, tomatoes, cheddar cheese, chicken broth, bacon, green onions, sour cream

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/bacon-baked-potato-soup-374658 (may not work)