Mardi Gras Potato Soup

Contributed by World Recipes Y-Group from Montréal, Québec
== Ingredients ==
* 4 pounds red potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes
* 4 ribs of celery, cut into small pieces
* 1 medium purple onion, diced
* 5 strips of bacon, torn into pieces
* ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
* ½ tsp minced garlic
* 1 pint half-and-half
* 1 tsp black pepper
* 1 tsp salt
* 4 quarts water
== Directions ==
# Start by frying the Bacon in a 2 gallon stockpot over medium heat.
# When the bacon is about half cooked, add in the onions, parsley, garlic and celery. Cook until the onions and celery are softened.
# Add 4 quarts of water to the stockpot. Bring to a boil and then add in the potatoes. Cook for 40 minutes, covered. Stir occasionally.
# After 40 minutes, spoon about ½ of the potatoes with liquid into a blender. Turn the blender on purée and run until all the potatoes are blended into the liquid.
# Add the puréed potatoes back into the pot along with the salt, pepper and half-and-half.
# Cook for an additional 20 minutes, covered. Stir frequently.
# Serve garnished with grated Cheddar cheese and with warm French bread. Season to taste.
Category:World Recipes
Category:Soup Recipes
Category:Red-skinned potato Recipes
Category:Celery Recipes
Category:Bacon Recipes
Category:Cheddar Recipes