Microwave Potato Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 cups potatoes, cubes peeled and raw
1/2 cup finely chopped onion (we sometimes use the dehydrated minced onion)
1 cup water
1 1/2 cups half-and-half
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
4 slices favorite cheese, thin slices (optional)
bacon (to garnish) or chives (to garnish)

Preparation

Microwave potatoes, onion and water on high 8 to 10 minutes until potatoes are tender.
Cover and let rest 5 minutes. Mash potatoes with a fork into large pieces. This does help thicken the soup.
Add remaining ingredients except cheese and cook on high 5 to 8 minutes to serving temperature.
Garnish with cheese and bacon or chives.