Potato Soup with Shrimp

By augusj

Ingredients

• 1/2 stick Butter
• 1 small Onion, diced
• 2 medium Carrots, diced
• 2 tbsp All-purpose Flour
• 8 medium Russett Potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 4 cups Milk
• 2 Chicken Bouillon cubes, dissolved in 1/2 cup hot Milk
• 1 cup Half and Half
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1/4 tsp Pepper
• 2 cups Salted Water
• 1 lb medium Shrimp
• crumbled bacon bits, for garnish
• grated sharp cheddar, for garnish
• dill sprigs, optional garnish

Preparation

Step 1

In a 4 quart saucepan, melt the butter and saute the onion and carrots until both are slightly tender, about 5 minutes. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Add the potatoes, milk and dissolved bouillon cubes. Cook over medium heat for 15 minutes, until the potatoes are very soft and some of them have begun to dissolve into much. Add the half and half, salt and pepper.

In a small saucepan, bring 2 cups lightly salted water to a boil. Add the shrimp all at once and stir well. Watch the shrimp closely; as soon as they all turn pink, about 2 to 3 minutes, turn off the heat and drain. The shrimp should be slightly undercooked. When they are cool, peel them, and chop roughly into big chunks. Add the shrimp to the soup and stir well.

Serve soup sprinkled with bacon bits and grated cheese. Garnish with dill sprigs, if desired.