Yummy Peppery 'tater Soup

Ingredients

• 34 lb bacon
• thick sliced and smoked
• 2 tablespoons butter
• unsalted
• 6 -8 baked potatoes (see Lindas Fantabulous Baked Potatoes)", "4 cups chicken stock (low sodium)", "4 cups whole milk", "1 cup scallion, sliced, white and light green parts only", "8 ounces cream cheese, Philly of course, room temperature", "14 teaspoon cayenne pepper (more if you like)", "12 teaspoon white pepper (to taste)", "12 teaspoon black pepper (to taste)", "salt", "snipped chives", "sour cream", "grated cheddar cheese

Instructions

1. Cook the bacon until crispy and drain well on paper towels.
2. Crumble the bacon and set aside for garnish.
3. Add butter to crock pot and set it on low.
4. (you can substitute some of the butter for bacon grease).
5. Scoop the potatoes (Recipe #280220) out of the skin getting all of the pulp and add to the crock pot.
6. Add the rest of the soup ingredients and cook on low heat for 6 - 8 hours.
7. To each bowlful of soup add your garnishes, top with crumbled bacon and enjoy!
8. ALTERNATELY:.
9. Use diced ham or Italian sausage instead of bacon.
10. Mmmmm, sausage!