Yukon Gold Potato and Roasted Garlic Soup

Yukon Gold Soup...I added crisp bacon pieces and green onion for garnish. Submitted by Yukon Gold Soup

Cuisinart original

A hearty soup that can also be served chilled like vichyssoise.

Yields

Makes eight cups (8 servings)

Ingredients

1 ounce garlic cloves (8-12 cloves), peeled

2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil

1⁄2 tablespoon unsalted butter

1 medium onion (5 ounces), peeled, cut into 1⁄2-inch pieces

1 carrot (2 ounces), peeled, cut into 1⁄2-inch pieces

1 rib celery (2 ounces), peeled, cut into 1⁄2-inch pieces

31⁄2 cups fat free, low-sodium chicken or vegetable stock

2 cups water

2 pounds yukon gold potatoes, peeled, cut into 1⁄2-inch slices

1 teaspoon herbes de Provence

1⁄2 cup evaporated fat free milk or half-and-half

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1⁄2 teaspoon ground white pepper

Nutritional information

Nutritional information per serving (made with evaporated fat free milk):

Calories 54 (29% from fat) • carb. 6g • pro. 3g • fat 2g • sat. fat 0g • chol. 1mg • sod. 420mg • calc. 67mg • fiber 1g

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F. Place cloves of garlic in the center of a 12-inch square of foil, drizzle with 1 teaspoon of the olive oil and toss to coat. Wrap the foil around the garlic and fold or crimp to seal. Roast until garlic is tender, about 1 hour. Cool slightly before using. (Garlic may be roasted ahead, and will keep in a resealable container for 5 days in the refrigerator.)

While the garlic is roasting, heat remaining olive oil with butter in a 3 3⁄4-quart saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, and celery. Reduce heat to low, cover loosely and cook until vegetables are tender but not browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in the stock, water, potatoes, herbes de Provence, and roasted garlic. Raise heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer, loosely covered, until potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes. Turn off heat and let stand for 2 to 3 minutes.

Insert the hand blender into the saucepan, making sure the protective guard is submerged. Blend on Low, using an up-and-down motion, moving the blender slowly throughout the saucepan, until well combined, smooth, and no visible pieces of vegetables remain, about 1 to 1 1⁄2 minutes. Add half-and half, salt and pepper. Insert the hand blender and blend for an additional 15 to 20 seconds. Serve hot. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.