Creamy Potato Soup

The potatoes are taunting me.

I dream of potatoes. In a way, it's my own fault. I did buy ten POUNDS of the blasted things. And then I left them in a conspicuous place so that I'm forced to constantly think of what in the world to do with two or three at a time. I am on a quest: a quest not to let a single one of these suckers go bad.

Who knew that there actually comes a time when you don't want to think of potatoes anymore?

Obviously, we've done the baked potato. The twice baked potato. There was the potato casserole. I made hash browns. And then Saturday dawned clear and cold, with about an inch of snow. The blessed day had arrived.

It was time for potato soup. I wanted it to be creamy, but not full of fatty cream (It's January, and my jeans are revolting). The compromise? Fat free evaporated skim milk.

And Oh. My. God. This soup was the best potato soup I've ever made. Although honestly, that has just as much to do with the smoked Spanish Paprika that found it's way into the pot.

Creamy Potato Soup

Ingredients

• 6 medium potatoes, cut in cubes
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 large onion, cut in a large dice
• 6 stalks of celery, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tbsp flour
• 1 can fat free evaporated skim milk
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika

Start boiling potatoes.

In a soup pot, saute the onions and celery for about 5-8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another 2 or 3 minutes. Add the flour and stir constantly for a minute.

Stir in the milk and vegetable broth; bring to a slow simmer for about 5 minutes. Add paprika and season with salt and pepper.

By this time, your potatoes should be done - you don't want them to be falling apart, but just fork-tender. Drain the potatoes and divide in half.

Mash half of the potatoes and stir them into the soup. Simmer for another five minutes. Add the remaining potatoes and adjust seasonings to taste - I added a bit more pepper and another dash of smoked paprika.

Serve with whatever toppings you like - I forgot to buy bacon, but that's usually my first choice of a topping. Instead I just used some shredded cheese.