Quick & Easy Potato Soup

• 6 large potatoes, baked, then chopped coarsley
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 white onion, diced
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 2 cups water
• 14 cup cornstarch
• 1 12 cups instant mashed potatoes
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 34 teaspoon pepper
• 12 teaspoon basil
• 18 teaspoon thyme
• 1 cup half-and-half
• cheese, garnish (optional)
• bacon, garnish (optional)
• scallion, garnish (optional)

1. melt butter, saute onions in butter.
2. add flour to make a roux.
3. add stock, water, cornstarch, spices and instant potatoes.
4. bring to boil.
5. reduce and simmer 5-10 minutes.
6. add chopped baked potatoes and half and half.
7. bring to a boil again.
8. then reduce and let simmer for 15 minutes.

potatoes, butter, white onion, chicken stock, water, cornstarch, instant mashed potatoes, salt, pepper, basil, thyme, cheese, bacon, scallion

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/quick-easy-potato-soup-289485 (may not work)