Laura Bush's Baked Potato Soup

You can use leftover baked potatoes, or you can actually bake some potatoes to use. In either case, this potato soup is absolutely scrumptious and comes from the personal recipe book of our own First Lady, Laura Bush.

Laura Bush's Baked Potato Soup

2 tablespoons butter
1 medium diced onion
1 large diced red bell pepper
1/2 cup minced chives
1/2 lb. bacon, diced and cooked crisp
2-3 cups whipping cream (you can substitute half-and-half, whole milk, skim milk or even broth if you prefer)
4 tablespoons sour cream
6 cups leftover baked potato, mashed
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
salt & pepper to taste

Sautee onion & pepper in the melted butter until translucent. Add the cooked bacon, potatoes, and cream (enough cream to get to the consistency you prefer; perhaps not the entire amount). Add the amount of salt & pepper you prefer, heat through, then garnish with sour cream, grated cheese and chives.