Hard Rock Cafe Baked Potato Soup

Ingredients

• 8 slices bacon, fried and chopped with drippings reserved
• 1 cup yellow onion, diced
• 2/3 cup flour
• 6 cups chicken stock, hot
• 4 cups potatoes, baked,peeled and diced
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
• 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt substitute
• 1 1/2 teaspoons red pepper sauce
• 1 1/2 teaspoons coarse black pepper
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
• 1/4 cup green onion, diced

Directions

1. 1

   Sauté the onions in the reserved bacon drippings over medium high heat until transparent, about 3 minutes.

2. 2

   Add flour, stirring to prevent lumps; cook for 3-5 minutes, until mixture just begins to turn golden.

3. 3

   Add chicken stock gradually, whisking to prevent lumps until liquid thickens.

4. 4

   Reduce heat to simmer and add potatoes, cream, chopped bacon, parsley, garlic, basil, salt substitute, red pepper sauce and black pepper.

5. 5

   Simmer for 10 minutes; DO NOT allow to boil.

6. 6

   Add grated cheese and green onions, heat until cheese melts smoothly.

7. 7

   Garnish each serving as desired with chopped bacon, grated cheese and chopped parsley.