Bacon Potato Soup ( Red Lobster)

You'll need to start by preparing your potatoes and bacon (be sure to reserve bacon grease). Using a large stock pot over medium heat, cook onion in bacon drippings, stirring frequently, until translucent. Add garlic and flour, stirring well and cook another 2 minutes, stirring often.Slowly add chicken broth to onion and garlic and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is thickened and bubbly. Stir in potatoes, half-and-half, and next 5 ingredients. Bring to a simmer, and cook, uncovered, 10 minutes (do not boil). Stir in bacon. Serve hot. Spoon into bowls and garnish with cheddar cheese and bacon. Notes: Since this recipe uses potatoes that are already baked, you could toss a few in the oven the night before to bake them ahead of time. Peel the potatoes, halve them and add some butter in the middle, wrap them in aluminum foil tightly and bake at 400°F for 1 hour or until soft. Cook bacon using preferred method until crisp. I like to bake thick cut bacon on a cooling rack over a sheet pan in the oven at 425 for 20 mins. Allow to cool and chop or crumble into small pieces.