Big Pot Potato Soup (Protein Version)

This recipe comes from a mixture of different potato soup recipes that I've compiled together since I was on a protein diet while I was pregnant but was really craving potato soup so this is the "protein" version of my favorite potato soup.

Ingredients:

• 8-12 cups chicken or veggie broth
• 4 lbs potatoes (about 10 medium sized potatoes), peeled and diced
• 8 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup of flour (I usually use whole wheat)
• 2 cups of milk (you can use almond milk for a healthier choice)
• shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup plain greek yogurt
• 2 sweet or yellow onions
• salt and pepper to taste
• optional:  bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, green onions, chia seeds, cannelloni beans (if using dry beans follow instructions on package for soaking/cooking times before making soup and add to the soup once beans are cooked, either whole beans or mashed up works)

Directions:

• Peel and cut potatoes to small cube shapes.  Dice onions and green onions.
• If using bacon:  preheat oven to 400F.  Bake bacon for about 10-20 minutes depending on your preference of crispness. Set aside when done baking and crumble once cool enough.
• Boil potatoes in the broth.  While they are boiling, melt a slice of butter in a pan and sauté onions until they are browned.  Once browned, add to boiling potatoes.
• Once potatoes are softened/tender, cook the 8 tblsp of butter in medium saucepan until melted.  Then whisk flour until combined, then cook for about a minute.  Gradually add milk while whisking mixture until smooth.  Cook until simmering stirring occasionally until it reaches desired thickness.
• Pour flour mixture into pot with potatoes and stir.  Add yogurt, salt, and pepper.  Use masher to mash the potatoes to desired consistency (can also add the beans and mash along with potatoes.  If you want them whole, then add after mashing)
• if desired, add the green onion and chia seeds.  You can add the bacon and cheese to the pot or keep them aside to add individually to bowls.  

Note that the soup will thicken when refrigerated but will thin out once you warm it up.

I love soup recipes since you can experiment with them.  Let me know if you tried this recipe and any alterations you did with it.  Thanks :)