Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Peel and cube both the Yukon Gold and Russet potatoes.
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic!
- Sprinkle the flour over the onion and garlic mixture. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1-2 minutes. This will help thicken the soup. The mixture should form a paste.
- Gradually whisk in the chicken (or vegetable) broth, making sure to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
- Add the cubed potatoes to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender. You should be able to easily pierce them with a fork.
- Use an immersion blender to partially blend the soup. Leave some chunks for texture, or blend it completely smooth. Alternatively, carefully transfer the soup to a regular blender in batches. Be very careful when blending hot liquids!
- Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until it's melted and smooth.
- Add the chopped chives, parsley, and thyme.
- Stir in the heavy cream (or your chosen alternative) until the soup is heated through. Do not boil the soup after adding the cream, as it can curdle.
- Season the soup with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with your favorite toppings, such as cooked bacon crumbles, sour cream, extra cheese, or croutons.
Notes
For a richer flavor, roast the garlic cloves before mincing. To do this, wrap the garlic cloves in foil with a drizzle of olive oil and roast at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until soft and fragrant. Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months. When reheating frozen soup, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator first. Add a splash of milk or broth if the soup becomes too thick after reheating. Taste and adjust seasonings before serving.