Potato Soup (Dairy And Soy Free!) - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1/4 cup margarine (Earth Balance Soy Free)
1 1/2 cups celery, diced
2 cups onions, diced
8 cups potatoes, diced (skin on is fine!)
3 large cloves garlic, crushed
1 tablespoon chicken base, paste (Better Than Bouillon Organic)
6 cups water
2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon parsley flakes
1 tablespoon dried chives
pepper
10 slices bacon

Preparation

Combine margarine, celery, onion, potatoes, and garlic in a stock pot (5 qt size works well).
Saute vegetables for 10 minutes.
Add chicken base, water, and spices.
Bring to a boil and reduce heat.
Boil 30 minutes, until potatoes are soft.
Cook 10 strips bacon to crisp (precooked bacon in the microwave does just fine). Add to soup.
Use a standing blender or stick blender to blend soup to a creamy consistency. You may need to allow the soup to cool before transferring to an upright blender, and blend in batches. Stir the final soup well.
We love this consistency, but if you wish to thicken the soup, potato flakes may be added. It could be thinned with a broth or milk product.