Ingredients
3 potatoes
3 tablespoons butter
1 1/2 cups chopped white onion
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 cups chicken stock
2 cups water
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 1/2 cups instant mashed potato flakes
1 cup chopped ham
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon hotsauce
1/8 teaspoon dried thyme
1 1/4 cup half-and-half
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
8 ounces bacon - cooked and crumbled
2 green onions, chopped
Preparation
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Bake potatoes for 1 hour, or until done. Potatos can be cooked in the microwave or left over baked potatos can be used as well. Set aside to cool. Melt butter in a 3 quart saucepan over medium heat. Saute onions until tender and golden brown. Stir in flour, and cook 5 minutes to make a roux. Pour in chicken stock and water. Add cornstarch and mashed potato flakes. Season with salt, pepper, hotsauce and thyme. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove the skin from the cooled potatoes, and discard. Dice the potatoes into 1/2 inch cubes, and stir into soup, along with the half-and-half. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, or until thick. Spoon into bowls, and garnish with shredded cheese, bacon and chopped green onion.
