Since the stupid stubborn snow refuses to melt, me thinks the clear solution is creamy potato soup.
Look, I don’t want to get all annoyingly weather-obsessed on ya, but I’ve taken a peepsie into the long ranger forecast and me thinks we’re bound for some serious melting. Me also thinks that it’s probably the grossest ever to say “me thinks” thrice in a row. I’m shaping up. Right now.
Remember when your mom used to say, “You better shape up or ship out!” And you thought, “WHERE IS MY SHIP.” I remember too. That’s all I had to say about that.
Look! Bacon.
You guys, this soup is TCTTC. Remember what that stands for? I’m mortified even bringing this up again. I’ll just let you figure it out because if I type it out again I’m going to hang myself.
The main thing to know is that this soup begins and ends with bacon and that’s all we really need in this life.
Look! Potatoes.
Mmmmm and Yukons at that. Buttery, smooth, Yukon Gold potatoes. I keep wanting to call them Tahoe Potatoes. Get it? Yukon? Tahoe? Maybe Honda Accord Potatoes? Chevrolet Vega Potatoes? Ford Pinto Pota-?
Oh.
Look! Veggies.
Or to sound suave and French and cigarette-y, the mirepoix. Or as I like to say with a distorted face and nasal accent, mmmeeeeerrrr(roll the tongue)eeeeeepoaaaaaw. It’s endearing, I swear.
(It’s the furthest thing from endearing. Like, the absolute furthest.)
The bottom line is that I really need you to make this soup. If not for me, do it for the snow. Do it for yourself.
The whole thing is just ridiculous. You start with bacon fat and butter and flour to make a roux. I’m already furious. And then add the mmmmmmeeeeerrr(roll the tongue)eeeeeepoooaaaaaw and sauté it until you see cartoon birds and stars. And then you add stock and milk and the Ford Pinto Potatoes and a bunk.ton. of fresh herbs, mostly basil. I’m telling you, complete absurdity. And then you just simmer until it’s creamy and herb-infused and tender and you just wanna drop kick everyone around you.
And as if that weren’t already enough, then you go and garnish it with crispy bacon crumbles and more bacon. I mean basil. Bacon and basil.
Huuuuuurts meh.
We’re done here.
Creamy Potato Soup with Bacon and Basil:
(inspired by this soup I saw on PBS)
What it took for 4:
* 4 slices bacon, cut into 3-inch strips
* 2 Tbs. butter
* 4 Tbs. flour
* 2 celery stalks, diced
* 1 carrot, diced
* 1 shallot, finely diced
* 3 cloves garlic, minced
* 4 cups chicken stock
* 1 cup milk
* 5 yukon potatoes, cut into a medium dice
* 1 cup freshly basil leaves, torn, plus more for garnish
* 2 sprigs fresh thyme
* 1 sprig fresh oregano
* 1 sprig fresh rosemary
* coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
Place the bacon in a large pot and render it over medium heat, until it’s at the crispiness level you prefer. Remove bacon and set aside on some paper towels to drain. Crumble into little pieces.
Back in the pot, add the butter to the bacon fat and melt. Once the bubbling stops, add the flour and whisk until until it’s not so . . . floury, about 2 minutes. Add the celery, carrot, shallots and garlic. Keep sautéing until the veggies are slightly tender, 4 to 5 minutes.
Add the stock, milk, potatoes, basil, thyme, oregano, rosemary and a good pinch of salt and pepper. Partially cover and simmer on medium until the potatoes are fork tender, 20 to 25 minutes.
Taste it. More salt? Probably so. Little more pepper? You devil, you.
Ladle among a few bowls and garnish with the bacon crumbles and a little more basil!
One more thing! Invite me over.
the garnishes are beautiful! I love this.
That is some beautiful BACON!!!
How toasty and comforting, Bev!!! My toes feel warmer just looking at that bowl of potato soup with that bacon!!!
I miss snow! We’re getting some terrible rain/snow right now, maybe if I make this soup the weather will decide it’s still winter and give us some of the good white fluffy stuff.
BACON! Ok… I just had to say that. Did you know that I’m veggie? I know… lame. But sometimes I make an exception for a bite of bacon in a delicious soup like this.
I want to live in a house made of bacon with faucets that squirt out this potato soup. With a Yukon Gold pillow. And a basil blanket.
So idk whether to be proud or embarrassed that I recognized TCTTC – so I’ll go with both! Because this soup is exactly that – crazy delicious and I love any soup with bacon
Oh my, that looks fantastic! Bacon, basil and creamy potatoes sound like a match made in heaven.
This couldn’t be more perfect for cold weather! Love the addition of basil!
Yummy!! Wow!
I’d love for you to join my Link Up!
http://www.pluckys-secondthought.com/pluckys-link-up-and-blogiversary-celebration-giveaway/
It seems so wrong that you have snow and we’re supposed to get 50 degree temps this weekend (PA). Praying for sunshine to melt your snow and Spring to come your way.
Basil and bacon sound delicious together!
That sounds like the perfect lunch for a cold day like this.
The basil is rocking my world right now!
This is the prettiest potato soup ever!
I heart this so hard.
Yum! A perfect treat for a cold winter afternoon
I’ve had bacon in my last three meals…I think I’ll blame it on the snow, too.
This is so pretty and sound so good!! I want some now!
That looks amazing. I can’t wait to try this. And bunk ton? I have a feeling that phrase will be popping out of my mouth without me even meaning to say it.
Soup perfection! And with this current snow storm in Boston, I need this in front of me!
It’s snowy and nipply in NH today. I need a hearty soup to warm me up!
Yesss! Why don’t I have a bowl in front of me?
Yum, your soup looks absolutely delicious! I love bacon in soup!
I love all of your photos (especially on IG). You make food look so darn yummy (as I am sure it is!).
I would be more than happy to eat a whole pot of this soup!
This soup looks like a delicious way to get through these last winter days!