Fresh Corn Chowder

1/2 lb. bacon, chopped
1 c. chopped mild yellow onion
4 ribs celery, chopped
1/2 c. flour
2 qt. chicken stock
4 sm. potatoes
2 tsp. freshly cracked white pepper
1 tsp. dried thyme
2 bay leaves
3 tbsp. chopped parsley
2 cloves garlic, minced
6 sm. ears sweet corn, cut off the cob (3 c. kernels)
2 c. light cream (I used half and half)
Salt and pepper to taste

In a large pot, heat the bacon and sauté until crisp.
Remove the bacon and reserve to use as a garnish for the soup.
Add the onions and celery to the bacon fat and sauté until soft, being careful not to brown.
Sprinkle the vegetables with the flour and continue to cook over low heat, stirring frequently, for about 10 minutes. Be carefull not to brown.

Loaded Baked Potato Soup

1 lb. baking potatoes, cubed *I use about 6-8 small to medium potatoes
1 can (14-1/2 oz.) fat-free reduced-sodium chicken broth OR 2c water and 2 chicken bouillon cubes, microwaved for 1 minute.
1 cup milk *I use skim
3 slices OSCAR MAYER Bacon, cooked, crumbled and divided *The Sam's Club real bacon pieces work well too!
1 cup KRAFT Shredded Cheddar Cheese, divided
1 green onion sliced, divided *I omit.
1/4 cup BREAKSTONE'S or KNUDSEN Sour Cream

MICROWAVE
Microwave potatoes in large microwaveable bowl on HIGH 5 min., stirring after 2-1/2 min.
Stir in broth and milk. Microwave 10 min., stirring after 5 min.
Carefully crush potatoes with potato masher.
RESERVE 2 Tbsp. each bacon and cheese and 1 Tbsp. onions for topping.
Stir remaining bacon, cheese and onions into soup.
SERVE topped with reserved bacon, cheese, onions and sour cream.

STOVE TOP
Boil potatoes, drain.
Mash about half the potatoes - add liquids, and replace remaining potatoes.
Mix in bacon, cheese, and onions; reserve some for toppings.
Serve with reserved toppings and sour cream.

Variation: peel potatoes before cooking (especially if serving to young children.)

Reheats well! I would not recommend freezing.

Gluten free: watch ingredients of sour cream.
Diabetic friendly: serve a side salad with this instead of bread, and this becomes a pretty good meal! Only carbs would be the potatoes, approximately 30g per cup.