Joe's Potato Soup

Learn how to make this delicious creamy potato soup loaded with bacon and ham bits!

Joe's Potato Soup with Bacon and Ham.

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cooking time: 40 to 45 minutes

Serves 4 to 6 people

Soy/Gluten Free

Another easy to make and delicious soup, guys! I love this soup... to be honest, everyone in the family loves this soup. It's easy to make, creamy, savory, loaded with bacon and ham bits, and just indulgent! It's comfort in a bowl. Just perfect in every possible way!

One pot is all you need to make this soup. No need to get lots of cookware dirty. It is that easy to make!

I said it once and will say it again: fresh simple ingredients produce the best results!

What is the flavor profile of this soup?

Savory and creamy.

What ingredients will I need to make this soup?

Gold potatoes, Joe's Homemade Chicken Broth, black pepper, sea salt, bay leaves, fresh thyme, carrots, a large sweet onion, garlic, cream, bacon, ham, butter or olive oil, chive, and cheddar cheese.

What else will I need to make this soup?

A large cast iron pot or large pot, measuring cups and spoons, a cutting board, a knife, and a wooden spoon.

Can I make any substitutions?

Yes. You can use store bought chicken broth. I recommend Swanson Low Sodium or unsalted Chicken Broth because it is gluten free.

You can substitute the American style bacon with Guanciale or pork belly.

Potato Soup History

Potato soup is mainly made of potatoes and milk combined with vegetables and seasonings.  It is a rich and hearty soup preparation, popular in various cuisines.  This soup has a creamy texture and mild flavor. A bowl full of potato soup is relished mainly in the winter season. The soup can be consumed as a side dish, appetizer or even as a full course meal. The ingredients in the soup can vary depending on  personal choice. This soup dish is filling and quite economical. History and Origin of Potato Soup (ifoodtv) Potato soup is made from potatoes which originated in Peru, 7,000 years ago. Today this vegetable is one of the popular vegetables in every cuisine and is used for normal day to day food preparations. The potatoes are said to have reached Britain by an explorer called Sir Walter Raleigh in the year 1589. A royal banquet was held after sometime and potatoes were showcased by using in different foods. The cooks of the palace were not very much aware of the culinary use of potatoes and thus threw the potato but used the leaves and stems to make potato soup. Since these two parts of potatoes are poisonous everyone who ate the soup got food poisoning.

Post Seven Years’ War in France, occurred a famine, in which Antoine August Paramentier, a Frenchman set the potato soup kitchens in Paris to help the famished citizens. Method of Preparation and Ingredients Used in Potato Soup Recipe The basic ingredients used in potato soup recipe are potatoes and milk. The other ingredients used for a basic potato soup preparation are bay leaf, onions, celery stalks, garlic cloves, cream, water, salt, pepper, garlic and butter. For the potato soup recipe, the potatoes are washed, peeled and diced. They are then added in a pot with salt and bay leaf and cooked. Garlic is also added in potato soup, though using it is optional. The potatoes are let to simmer for some time. The onions and celery are fried in a pan with heated butter. Once done, they are added to potatoes and cooked. Seasoning is added and milk and cream is also put. The soup is removed from the heat as soon as cream or milk is included. Not doing so causes milk to curdle and spoils the taste of this rich soup. Serving Potato Soup Potato soup makes a filling meal. These soups are usually served as appetizer before the full course meals. Some people also eat the soup as a light full course food for lunch and dinner. It is usually served with paprika and garnished with chopped parsley. Crackers served with this soup help in enhancing the taste. Oyster crackers, saltines, whole-grain biscuits and wafers pair well with this heart potato soup. Breads, chicken legs, vegetable patties are also eaten with the soup. The Irish people love to have wines with soups. Chardonnay a full bodied wine with creamy flavors is one of the wines goes well with this soup. Chenin Blanc, which is rich in honey flavors and Pinot Noir, a red berry wine is mostly served with Irish Potato soup. Variations in Potato Soup Recipe Potato soup recipe is common in various cuisines and has many variations. The soup can be made by adding vegetables like broccoli, carrots, and peppers. The amount of butter and cream added to the soup can also vary depending on the personal choice. Onions are sometimes replaced by leaks. In Ireland, the potatoes are mixed with butter, milk and scallions to make a potato soup mix, also known as Champ. Cabbage is also added to enhance the flavors of the soup and is called Colcannon in Irish. The use of thyme, rosemary, cilantro when added gives the soup a different, yet refreshing taste. Also, the type of potatoes used in the soup also makes the flavor of the soup different. A sweet version of potato soup recipe makes use of sweet potatoes coupled with cinnamon, nutmeg and brown sugar. Popular Potato Soup Recipes

• Crock Pot Potato Soup- This potato soup recipe is a wonderful combination of leeks, potatoes, carrots, parsley and cheddar cheese. The soup is prepared in a crockpot on a low flame and is rich in flavors.

• Sweet Potato Soup- This potato soup is a popular dessert of China and is known as Tong sui. The texture of the soup is thin and it comprises of sweet potatoes with rock candy and ginger. The taste of this soup is amazing.

• Velveeta Potato Soup- This cheesy soup is made of Velveeta cheese, potatoes, vegetable stock and many different spices. The recipe of the soup is easy and less time consuming.

• Irish Potato Soup- It is a traditional soup preparation of Ireland. The soup includes vegetables, potatoes, herbs, Irish butter and chicken bouillon. The soup makes a delicious treat and is as staple dish during winter season.

Trivia- Potato soup

• Potato soup is a staple dish of Ireland, Poland, Russia and America.

Joe's Potato Soup

INGREDIENTS

• 3 to 4 pounds of gold potatoes, cubed

• 2 large carrots, peeled and sliced

• 1 large sweet onion, chopped

• 4 cloves of garlic, minced

• 1 cup of ham steak, diced

• 1.5 cups of bacon, diced

• 2 cups of cream

• 2 tablespoons of butter or olive oil

• 6 cups of Joe's Homemade Chicken Broth or any gluten free chicken broth of your choice

• 2 bay leaves

• 2 sprigs of thyme

• salt and pepper

• chives, cheddar cheese, or crispy bacon to garnish

Method

1. Wash, peel, and chop, dice or mince all vegetables. I normally just give the potatoes a good scrub and do not peel them.

2. In a large pot over medium high heat, render the bacon for 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the bacon and set aside.

3. Add 2 tablespoons of butter or olive oil to the pot and the diced onions and carrots. Cook until translucent (about 5 minutes). Add the garlic and cook until fragrant.

4. Add the broth, potatoes, thyme, bay leaves, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce the temperature to low, cover, and cook for 20 to 25 minutes.

5. Once the potatoes are tender to the touch, add the bacon and ham. Simmer uncovered for 5 minutes.

6. Slowly add the cream, stir gently as you do so. Let it simmer uncovered for another 5 minutes. Taste for salt and pepper and adjust to you liking.

7. Serve, garnish with either crispy bacon, chives, cheddar cheese ...or all.

Enjoy!!!

Printable Recipe (PDF) below:

Joe's Potato Soup.pdf

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