Baked Potato Soup

One of my favorite simple meals is making stuffed baked potatoes for dinner. Potatoes can be used in so many ways and here's a great recipe to get that great baked potato meal in a soup- enjoy!

Here's the list of goodies you'll need:

• ½ pound bacon cut into small pieces
• 1 medium sized onion chopped
• 1 small shallot chopped fine
• 3 cloves garlic put through a garlic press
• 3 Tablespoons flour (the all purpose type)
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 3 cups low sodium chicken broth
• 2 very large baking potatoes - baked, peeled and cubed
• 1 cup half and half cream
• shredded cheddar cheese

Now to cook it up:
In a large saucepan- cook bacon until crisps, drain, reserving 1 T. of drippings. Set bacon aside. Saute the chopped onion and shallot in the bacon drippings until tender. Stir in the flour, salt (to your own liking) basil and pepper; mix well. Gradually add in the broth stir so you won't have lumps in your soup. Bring to a boil; boil for 2 minutes. Add potatoes and cream, heat thoroughly but no not boil. Garnish with bacon and cheese.
Serve this with a small garden salad and some crusty french bread and make an apple crisp for dessert...m'm!