Quick & Easy Potato Soup

My MIL makes this all of the time. I think she found the recipe online - you can play around with the flavor a bit as it has instant potato - try cheddar, sour cream & chive, butter - the recipe calls for origional. When I'm in a pinch, I steam my potatoes - it goes even faster.

• Ready In: 50 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 6  large potatoes, baked, then chopped coarsley
• 3  tablespoons butter
• 1  white onion, diced
• 4  cups  chicken stock
• 2  cups water
• 1⁄4 cup cornstarch
• 1 1⁄2 cups instant mashed potatoes
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 3⁄4 teaspoon pepper
• 1⁄2 teaspoon basil
• 1⁄8 teaspoon thyme
• 1  cup half-and-half
•  cheese, garnish (optional)
•  bacon, garnish (optional)
•  scallion, garnish (optional)

Directions

1. melt butter, saute onions in butter.
2. add flour to make a roux.
3. add stock, water, cornstarch, spices and instant potatoes.
4. bring to boil.
5. reduce and simmer 5-10 minutes.
6. add chopped baked potatoes and half and half.
7. bring to a boil again.
8. then reduce and let simmer for 15 minutes.