Baked Potato Soup

Baked Potato Soup
An easy soup with great flavors


INGREDIENTS:

# 1/2 cup chopped onion
# 1/2 cup chopped celery
# 1 tablespoon margarine
# 4 cups half-and-half
# 1-1/2 teaspoons salt
# 1-1/2 teaspoons pepper
# 2 tablespoons margarine
# 3 tablespoons flour
# 2 large potatoes, baked, peeled, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
# 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
# 1/2 cup bacon bits
# 1/2 cup sour cream
# Chopped fresh chives to taste

TO PREPARE:

* Saute the onion and celery in 1 tablespoon margarine in a saute pan until tender.

* Combine the onion mixture, half-and-half, salt and pepper in a large saucepan; mix well. Heat to the boiling point, stirring occasionally.

* Heat 2 tablespoons margarine in a saucepan until melted. Whisk in the flour. Cook for 3 minutes or until of roux consistency, whisking constantly. Whisk into the half-and-half mixture. Cook until thickened, stirring constantly. Add the potatoes; mix well. Cook just until the potatoes are heated through, stirring frequently.

* Ladle into soup bowls. Top each serving with Cheddar cheese, bacon bits, sour cream and chives.

SERVES: 8