Potato and Lovage Soup

I purchased 5 lovage plants because the man at the garden center praised its use in potato salad. When I planted them my Polish neighbor, who was surprised to see “Lubczyk” as she had never seen it growing in this country, told me that in Poland they make soup with it. Naturally I did some Internet research to find some recipes. As I always change recipes and improvise as I go, this is what I wound up with. We loved it. Let me warn you…Lovage is a natural diuretic, so if you make this prepare to have your kidneys working overtime!

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 3  slices bacon
• 1  cup sweet onion, chopped finely
• 3 -4  yukon gold potatoes, peeled, cleaned and cubed (you can also use more if you like a chunkier soup)
• 2  tablespoons butter, if needed
• 2  medium bay leaves
• 2  stalks  fresh lovage, with leaves washed and chopped
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon pepper
• 1  quart  chicken stock (more if needed to cover ingredients)
• 1  quart  whole milk
•  fresh lovage, leaves (to garnish) or  fresh parsley (to garnish)

Directions

1. In a large saucepan begin by cooking your bacon slowly, until crisp. Remove bacon to a side dish and crumble it when cooled.
2. In the bacon grease add your chopped onion and sauté till translucent. Now remove your onion to the bacon dish.
3. Add your cubed potatoes to the remaining grease. Add the butter if the bacon grease is not sufficient. Sauté until the potato cubes are a little golden but not cooked all the way through.
4. Now add your bacon, onions, bay leaves, chicken stock, and salt and pepper. Cook this until your potatoes are thoroughly cooked, about 15-20 minutes.
5. Then add your chopped lovage and cook for 10 more minutes or until lovage is tender.
6. Finally add your milk and bring back to temperature without boiling or the milk may curdle.
7. For a creamier consistency take an immersion blender and partially blend the soup, leaving about 50% of the potatoes whole. Add lovage leaves or fresh parsley for garnish. Serve.