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You know those people who love soup? All soups, stews, chowders, bisques, etc. . . . If it has a decadent broth and maybe a few chunks of vegetables and meat in it, they’re in heaven. Yeah, I’m not one of those people. But, I will make an exception for potato soup. The problem I have with soups is that I feel like I’m not getting a full meal unless I pair it with some bread, a salad, or another side. But this instant pot potato soup is not that kind of soup. Yes, I would absolutely recommend serving it with a slice of homemade sourdough bread (to wipe up every last drop), but it’s not a requirement. The medley of fragrant vegetables, satisfying potatoes, succulent bacon, and hearty broth result in a one-pot meal you’ll reach for every winter.

BABY STEPS:
While this potato soup is already ridiculously easy and perfect for a weeknight dinner, why not make things even easier on yourself and let your kiddo help with the prep? Everybody wins!
● Sure, they may not chop them as evenly as you would, but let them practice their knife skills (using a kid-safe knife, of course) and cut up the carrots and celery. Maybe even the potatoes, if they’ve had a bit more practice. Encourage them to keep the pieces as uniform in size as possible, just to encourage even cooking.
● This is a great opportunity for them to (with your help) practice pouring and measuring liquids. Just keep a rag or paper towel nearby for spills!
● Let them push the buttons on the Instant Pot! What kid doesn’t love that?

Remember to provide appropriate supervision and guidance while involving your child in the cooking process to ensure their safety and to make it an enjoyable and educational experience for both of you.

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INGREDIENTS  

• 6 strips uncooked bacon, cut into small pieces
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 medium carrots, diced (approx. 1 cup)
• 3 stalks celery, diced (approx. 1 cup)
• 3 large garlic cloves, minced
• 2.5 lbs russet potatoes, diced
• 3 cups chicken broth (I like Better Than Bouillon’s chicken base)
• 1.5 tsp salt, plus more to taste
• 1 tsp pepper, plus more to taste
• 1/2 tsp Slap Ya Mama seasoning (if you don’t have Slap Ya Mama, you can add a dash each of paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and a smidge of cayenne powder–all to taste.)
• 2 cups whole milk
• 2/3 cup sour cream or heavy cream (I used sour cream and it adds a nice depth of flavor, whereas heavy cream will result in a richer soup.)
• For garnish: shredded cheddar cheese, extra bacon, diced scallions, a dollop of sour cream

SUGGESTED EQUIPMENT:
● Measuring cups
● Kid-safe knives
● Instant Pot
● Immersion blender

INSTRUCTIONS

Turn on the sauté button on your Instant Pot and let it heat up. Add the bacon and cook until browned and crispy. Remove the bacon, leaving the fat behind.

Add the butter to the Instant Pot. Once it has melted, add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring frequently, until they are slightly softened, 3-4 minutes.

Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, approximately 1 minute. Keep stirring so it doesn’t burn.

Add the potatoes, chicken broth, salt, pepper, and Slap Ya Mama seasoning to the pot and stir well.

Put the lid on your Instant Pot and seal it. Set it for 10 minutes on high pressure and then do a quick release.

Once the steam has stopped and the pin has dropped, slowly open the lid away from you. Carefully and gradually pour in the milk and heavy cream (or sour cream) while stirring.(At this point I prefer to break out my immersion blender for a thicker, smoother soup. I like to leave a few chunks, but this part is up to you. You can also achieve a thicker soup by whisking a couple tablespoons of flour into the milk before adding it.)

Stir the bacon in, and season to taste. Garnish, and enjoy!

SERVE WITH: Homemade bread (I love this simple sourdough from The Clever Carrot or read my guide to homemade sourdough bread here) and a big salad

Did you make this recipe? Let me know how it turned out for you below! If you liked it, please take a picture and share it on Instagram with the tag #afamilythateatstogether