CHEESY POTATO AND BACON SOUP

2 kilos potatoes (peeled weight) roughly chopped

2 large onions, diced

2 teaspoons chopped garlic

10 rashers shortcut bacon, diced

8 cups chicken stock

1/2 cup milk

2 teaspoons garlic powder

2 teaspoons onion powder

salt and pepper to taste

3 cups grated tasty cheese

extra 4 rashers shortcut bacon, well cooked, cooled and crumbled

extra grated tasty cheese

in a large pot, place the potatoes, onions, garlic, bacon and chicken stock. cover, bring to boil then lower heat to simmer until potatoes are soft.

remove 2 cups of stock and put aside.*

remove pot from heat and use a potato masher to mash the potatoes.

add the milk, garlic and onion powders, salt and pepper. stir to combine. 

place pot back on heat and stir in the cheese until melted.

at this point you can blend the soup if desired. I left mine as is because we like a bit of texture.

serve sprinkled with some extra cheese and crumbled bacon.

*if you like thinner soup add back some stock before serving. otherwise put the stock in the fridge because the soup will get quite thick overnight.