Houlihan's Baked Potato Soup

Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds (2 cups, diced but unpeeled) baking potatoes
1/4 pound butter
2 cups yellow onion, diced
1/3 cup flour
5 cups water
1/4 cup low sodium chicken base
1 cup instant potato flakes
3/4 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup milk
Salt, to taste
White pepper, to taste

Procedures:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Prick washed potatoes & bake until a fork pierces to the center easily. Remove potatoes from oven & allow to fully cool. Remove skin & cut potatoes into 1/2" cubes. Set aside.

Melt butter in a large saucepan. Add onions & saute over low heat for 10 minutes or until onions are translucent. Don't allow onions to burn. Add flour to onions & butter and cook 4 - 5 minutes, stirring well until flour is absorbed.

In a separate container, combine water, chicken base, potato flakes & seasonings. Stir or whisk thoroughly to eliminate lumps. Add slowly to onion mixture, stirring constantly so no lumps form. Increase to medium heat & continue cooking until the soup begins to gently simmer. Add milk & cream, stirring until smooth & lightly thickened. Simmer for 15 minutes. Do not boil. Soup should just simmer lightly. Add cubed baked potatoes & stir to combine.

Remove from heat & serve. Top each serving with grated cheddar cheese, sliced scallions & bacon pieces.

Serves: 6 person

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Nov 6, 1994