Staying Warm with Shay's Cheesy Potato Soup!

Well friends, the White Death is upon us again today, and with an overnight low of 6 degrees Fahrenheit, we must make use of our comfort foods!
I tweaked this recipe a few months ago and I thought I would share it with you all, just in case you are FREEZING like us! It is important to remember that these are guidelines, and you must always taste your cooking, and make it your own!

Shay's Cheesy Potato Soup

-1lb. pack of bacon, chopped


-2 medium-large white onions, diced

-1-2 cloves chopped (or 1-2 tbsp minced) garlic (in a pinch, you can skip this and season to taste with garlic powder later)

-3/4 c. white wine or domestic beer (may omit if you don't like this flavor)

-5lb. bag of red potatoes, diced. You may peel if you like, but I don't.

-2 2lb. cartons of chicken stock

-1 2lb. "loaf" of velveeta

-2 pints heavy whipping cream

-1 bunch green onions (for garnish, may omit)

-Shredded cheddar cheese (for garnish, may omit)


Chop up a pack of bacon and fry it in a LARGE stock pot. Remove the bacon from grease and set aside.

De-glaze the pot with some (no more than 3/4 cup) white wine or domestic beer.

In bacon grease, cook two chopped onions until they begin to become translucent. Add garlic towards the end of this phase, but not too early (so you avoid burning it).

Add chopped red potatoes, and add enough chicken stock to cover them (usually at least 1.5 large cartons, might be up to 2).

Cook the potatoes.

Add chopped velveeta and heavy whipping cream. You will add the heavy whipping cream as needed/to taste. The amount you need will vary based on how much bacon grease you end up with, how much of everything else you used, etc. Basically, you're aiming for creamy, rich, and unhealthy!!!

Let ingredients mix thoroughly.

Season to taste with salt, pepper, garlic powder, etc. At this point, you may want to add some of the shredded cheddar to thicken things up, or make it more cheesy.

Serve topped with bacon, shredded cheddar, and green onions (if desired).

We Poor Connoisseurs like to enjoy this with soup accompanied by "Cheddar Bay" Biscuits. (You can find the biscuit recipe on a box of Bisquick, add some shredded cheese to the dough, and then top with garlic butter and parsley.)

Most importantly, ENJOY! Also, if you take a statin-blocker, you might want to double up your dose before this meal!