Grandma's Cream of Potato Soup or Broccoli Soup

== Description ==
This recipe has a slight smokey flavor due to the Deli Bacon. Broccoli can be substituted for potatoes for cream of Broccoli Soup. 
=== Ingredients ===
* 2 (31 ounces) cans college inn chicken broth 
* 6 medium potatoes (cubed) 
* 4 stalks celery (Diced) 
* 4 medium carrots (Diced) 
* 1/2 cup cubed Ham (optional) 
* 1/4 lb of deli Bacon (Smoked) 
* 1 medium Spanish Onion (Diced) 
* 1 quart heavy cream 
* 4 tablespoons butter 
* 1/4-1/2 cup cornstarch 
* 12 ounces Cheddar Cheese (optional) 
* If making cream of Broccoli Soup 
* 2 heads Broccoli, chopped,peel stems of skins and slice (Skins are tough and bitter.) 
== Directions ==
* Empty cans of chicken broth in pot. 
* Add cubed potatoes and bring to a boil. 
* While potatoes are starting to cook pan fry Bacon until crisp and add bacon grease to Chicken and potato broth. 
* Crumble Bacon and add to broth. 
* Add diced Ham to broth (otpional). 
* In a sauce pan melt butter and add diced Onion, celery and carrots. 
* Pan fry until soft. 
* When potatoes are done add the celery, carrot and Onion mixture with butter to broth. 
* Reduce heat to medium and add about 1/4 to 1/2 of the quart of heavy cream. 
* Be careful not to have soup at a heavy boil or cream will curdle. 
* Add enough cream to make soup look creamy throughout. 
* Add Cheese (optional). 
* Mix corn starch with very cold water and add to soup. 
* Continue medium boil until soup thickens. 
* If it isn't thick enough repeat corn starch and add slowly. 
* Remove from heat and enjoy. 
* Soup will thicken when it gets cold. 
* Can add milk or water to thin out. 
=== Other Links ===
== See also ==
Category:Bacon Recipes
Category:Bacon grease Recipes
Category:Bitter Recipes
Category:Broccoli Recipes
Category:Broccoli Soup Recipes
Category:Cheddar Recipes
Category:Cheese Recipes
Category:Chicken Recipes
Category:Chicken stock and broth Recipes