Potato Soup Recipe

• 2 tablespoon Butter Olive Oil
• 4 Slices of thick-cut bacon, cut into small pieces
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 scallions, sliced (white and green part separated)
• Kosher Salt
• 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon of celery seeds
• ¼ teaspoon ground white pepper
• 1 ½ pounds of russet potatoes, peeled and cut into ½ inch pieces
• 1 cup half and half
• 2 ounce cream cheese
• 1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons of Baklouti Chili Olive Oil
• Shredded cheddar cheese and chopped fresh chives for topping

Place cut potatoes in 4 cups of water and a 1 teaspoon salt to the pot. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the potatoes are tender but not falling apart – 10 min.
Remove from pot and let cool - then transfer ½ cup of the potatoes to a blender, add the half and half, cream cheese and parmesan and blend until very smooth. Set aside.

Heat Butter Olive Oil in a large pot over medium high heat. Add the bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp, 4-6 minutes. Remove the bacon and transfer onto paper towel lined plate.
Using the same pot reduce the heat to medium and add the onion, scallion whites and a big pinch of salt to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft but not browned, about 7-8 min. Add the flour, celery seeds and white pepper; stir until combined.

Gently stir in the potato mixture into the pot with the onions and scallions, add scallion greens, potatoes and bacon. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat; season with salt.
Serve in bowls and top with cheddar cheese, chives and drizzle Baklouti Chili Olive Oil.