Irish Potato Soup

What You Need:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 baking potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/4” slices
• 1 sweet yellow onion, rough chopped
• 3 green onions, cut into 1/4" pieces
• 2 stalks celery, cut into 1/4” pieces
• 1 garlic clove, cut in half
• 1-1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 1-1/2 cups milk
• Chives
• Shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon (Optional)

What You Do:

1. In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat.
2. Have your child add the onion, green onion, celery, and garlic. Saute until tender, about 5 minutes.
3. Next, ask him to add the potatoes, chicken stock, and salt. Start with just 1/8 teaspoon of pepper.
4. Bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes, until the potatoes are tender.
5. Pour half of the potato mixture into a blender or food processor along with half of the milk. Pulse until it is very smooth.
6. Pour that into a bowl or small pot so that you can puree the other half of the potato mixture and milk.
7. Return all of the soup to the large pot and heat through.
8. Invite your child to taste it. If you want the soup to be a little more peppery, add another 1/8 teaspoon. At this point, you can also adjust the salt, if necessary.
9. Serve the soup in bowls for the whole family to enjoy as a first course, along with bread or crackers.
10. Try garnishing each bowl with chives for extra flavor. It’s easy; just take kitchen shears and cut small bits of chives right over the bowl.
11. If you wish, have your child set out small containers filled with shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon so that people can help themselves.