Ingredients

  • ¼ cup butter
  • ½ white onion, chopped
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 large carrots, diced
  • 4 stalks celery, diced
  • 1 tablespoon dried, minced garlic
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 tablespoons chicken soup base
  • 1 cup warm water
  • 5 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
  • 6 slices crisp cooked bacon, crumbled
    Directions
  1. Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook onion in butter until translucent. Stir in flour until smooth, then gradually stir in 2 cups water, carrots, celery, garlic, salt, and pepper. Heat through, then stir in milk. Dissolve chicken base in 1 cup warm water, and pour into vegetable mixture.

  2. Place potatoes in slow cooker, and pour heated vegetable mixture into potatoes. Place bay leaf in pot.

  3. Cover, and cook 5 hours on High, or 8 hours on Low.

  4. Remove bay leaf. Puree about 4 cups of the soup in a blender or food processor, and then stir pureed soup into contents of slow cooker. Stir in cheese and bacon until cheese is melted.