Baked Potato Cheddar Soup

From TOH 1/12

A few simple kitchen staples makes for an impressive soup. Use a better-quality yellow cheddar cheese; it adds greater depth of color and flavor to this dish.

Baked Potato Cheddar Soup Recipe
Prep/Total Time: 30 min.
Yield: 4 Servings

 Ingredients
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups milk
2 large potatoes, baked, peeled and coarsely mashed (1-1/2 pounds)
1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions, divided
Crumbled cooked bacon, optional
Directions
In a large saucepan, whisk flour and milk until smooth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in the potatoes, 1/3 cup cheese, salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat for 2-3 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Remove from the heat. Stir in sour cream and 1/4 cup onions until blended. Cover; cook over medium heat for 10-12 minutes or until heated through (do not boil). Garnish with remaining cheese, onions and bacon if desired. Yield: 4 servings.

Nutritional Facts 1-1/4 cups (calculated without bacon) equals 392 calories, 15 g fat (10 g saturated fat), 52 mg cholesterol, 469 mg sodium, 49 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 14 g protein.