Creamy Potato Soup with Bacon and Basil

Since the stupid stubborn snow refuses to melt, me thinks the clear solution is creamy potato soup.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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One more thing! Invite me over.

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28 Responses to Creamy Potato Soup with Bacon and Basil

  1. Jen @ Savory Simple March 7, 2013 at 8:06 am #
    the garnishes are beautiful! I love this.
  2. claire @ the realistic nutritionist March 7, 2013 at 8:20 am #
    That is some beautiful BACON!!! :)
  3. Robyn Stone | Add a Pinch March 7, 2013 at 8:22 am #
    How toasty and comforting, Bev!!! My toes feel warmer just looking at that bowl of potato soup with that bacon!!!
  4. Anne @The Cooking Campaign March 7, 2013 at 8:53 am #
    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.
  5. Brian @ A Thought For Food March 7, 2013 at 8:56 am #
    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.
  6. Carly @ Snack Therapy March 7, 2013 at 8:58 am #
    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.
  7. Jess @ On Sugar Mountain March 7, 2013 at 9:41 am #
    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 :D
  8. Cookin' Canuck March 7, 2013 at 9:42 am #
    Oh my, that looks fantastic! Bacon, basil and creamy potatoes sound like a match made in heaven.
  9. Little Kitchie March 7, 2013 at 9:44 am #
    This couldn't be more perfect for cold weather! Love the addition of basil!
  10. Jess March 7, 2013 at 10:32 am #
    Yummy!! Wow! I'd love for you to join my Link Up! http://www.pluckys-secondthought.com/pluckys-link-up-and-blogiversary-celebration-giveaway/
  11. Heather March 7, 2013 at 10:33 am #
    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!
  12. Cat Davis March 7, 2013 at 10:34 am #
    That sounds like the perfect lunch for a cold day like this.
  13. Heather @ Heather's Dish March 7, 2013 at 10:36 am #
    The basil is rocking my world right now!
  14. Averie @ Averie Cooks March 7, 2013 at 10:58 am #
    This is the prettiest potato soup ever!
  15. Jackie @ The Beeroness March 7, 2013 at 11:22 am #
    I heart this so hard.
  16. Brandon @ Kitchen Konfidence March 7, 2013 at 1:21 pm #
    Yum! A perfect treat for a cold winter afternoon :)
  17. Katie March 7, 2013 at 3:37 pm #
    I've had bacon in my last three meals...I think I'll blame it on the snow, too.
  18. Tieghan March 7, 2013 at 6:58 pm #
    This is so pretty and sound so good!! I want some now!
  19. Gleeful March 7, 2013 at 8:28 pm #
    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.
  20. Sues March 8, 2013 at 6:49 am #
    Soup perfection! And with this current snow storm in Boston, I need this in front of me!
  21. Carrie @ Bakeaholic Mama March 8, 2013 at 8:31 am #
    It's snowy and nipply in NH today. I need a hearty soup to warm me up!
  22. Rachel @ Baked by Rachel March 8, 2013 at 8:31 am #
    Yesss! Why don't I have a bowl in front of me? :)
  23. Rosie @ Blueberry Kitchen March 8, 2013 at 10:04 am #
    Yum, your soup looks absolutely delicious! I love bacon in soup!
  24. Julia March 8, 2013 at 1:51 pm #
    I love all of your photos (especially on IG). You make food look so darn yummy (as I am sure it is!).
  25. Leslie March 10, 2013 at 3:01 pm #
    I would be more than happy to eat a whole pot of this soup!
  26. Amanda @ Once Upon a Recipe March 12, 2013 at 8:49 pm #
    This soup looks like a delicious way to get through these last winter days!
  27. Krissy October 9, 2014 at 4:12 pm #
    I made this and it tasted wonderful! The herbs used gave it such a hearty warm flavor. My broth was a little darker because I think I browned the bacon too long which turned my rue more brown instead of golden.

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