1 pound bacon, chopped
2 stalks celery, diced
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
8 potatoes, peeled and cubed
4 cups chicken stock, or
enough to cover potatoes
3 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup all−purpose flour
1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon dried tarragon
3 teaspoons chopped fresh cilantro
salt and pepper to taste
1 In a Dutch oven, cook the bacon over medium heat until
done. Remove bacon from pan, and set aside. Drain off all
but 1/4 cup of the bacon grease.
2 In the bacon grease remaining in the pan, saute the
celery and onion until onion begins to turn clear. Add the
garlic, and continue cooking for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the cubed
potatoes, and toss to coat. Saute for 3 to 4 minutes. Return the
bacon to the pan, and add enough chicken stock to just cover
the potatoes. Cover, and simmer until potatoes are tender.
3 In a separate pan, melt the butter over medium heat.
Whisk in the flour. Cook stirring constantly, for 1 to 2
minutes. Whisk in the heavy cream, tarragon and cilantro. Bring
the cream mixture to a boil, and cook, stirring
constantly, until thickened. Stir the cream mixture into the
potato mixture. Puree about 1/2 the soup, and return to the
pan. Adjust seasonings to taste.
