One of my new favorite recipes!!! (Thanks Kim)

Baked Potato Soup

2 medium potatoes

2 tbls butter

1cup diced white onion

2 tbls flour

4 cups chicken broth

2 cups water

¼ cup cornstarch

1 ½ cups instant mashed potatoes

1 tsp salt

¾ tsp pepper

½ tsp basil

1/8 tsp thyme

1 cup half and half

Garnish:

½ cup shredded cheddar cheese

¼ cup crumbled bacon

2 green onions, chopped

Preheat oven to 400 and bake potatoes 1 hour or until done. Remove from oven and cool.

As potatoes cool, prepare soup by melting butter in large sauce pan. Sauté white onions until light brown. Add flour and stir to make a roux.

Add broth, water, cornstarch, mashed potatoes, and spices to pot. Bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.

Cut potatoes in half lengthwise and scoop out contents. Discard skins. Chop potato into ½ inch chunks. Add chopped potato and half and half to soup. Bring to boil. Reduce and simmer for 15 minutes. Spoon into bowls and garnish tops. Serves 6 – 8.