Copycat Bennigans Potato Soup Lightened Version Food

COPYCAT BENNIGAN'S POTATO SOUP-LIGHTENED VERSION

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Poke potatoes with a fork several times and bake 1 hour or until tender when pierced.
• Let cool slightly, and when you can touch them without burning your fingers, peel potatoes.
• Melt butter in a large stockpot over medium-low heat.
• Add onions and garlic, cover and let sweat 10 minutes, or until soft- but not brown.
• Add 2/3 of the potatoes and mash using a potato masher right in the pot.
• Add chicken broth, milk, and season to taste with salt & pepper.
• Raise the heat slightly to bring mixture to a low simmer (bubbles forming under the surface, but not a boil), stirring occasionally.
• Chop remaining potatoes into small cubes, add to soup, and stir gently; keep heating until soup warmed through.
• Ladle into serving bowls and garnish with any or all of the optional toppings.

ALMOST-FAMOUS BAKED POTATO SOUP

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp, 4 to 6 minutes. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
• Reduce the heat to medium and add the onion, scallion whites and a big pinch of salt to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft but not browned, about 8 minutes. Add the flour, celery seeds and white pepper; stir until combined.
• Add the potatoes, 3 1/2 cups water and 1 teaspoon salt to the pot. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the potatoes are tender but not falling apart, about 10 minutes.
• Remove the pot from the heat and transfer 1/2 cup of the potatoes to a blender. Add the half-and-half, cream cheese and parmesan and blend until very smooth. Gently stir the mixture into the pot along with the scallion greens, hot sauce and half of the bacon. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat; season with salt.
• Divide the soup among bowls. Top with cheddar cheese, the remaining bacon and chives.

BENNIGAN'S BAKED POTATO SOUP KNOCKOFF

Steps:

• 1. In 12-inch skillet, cook bacon over medium heat, turning occasionally, until browned and crispy. Remove from skillet, reserving fat in skillet. Drain bacon on paper towel. In same skillet, cook onion in bacon fat over medium heat 4 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until tender.
• 2. Add potato, onion, broth, salt and pepper to 4qt. slow cooker. Cover and cook on low setting for 6-7 hours.
• 3. In small bowl, beat flour and half-and-half with wire whisk until well blended; stir into soup. Increase heat setting to High. Cover; cook about 30 minutes longer or until thickened. Stir in 2 cups cheese until well melted. Spoon into bowls and top with crumbled bacon, a bit more cheese and green onion.