Creamy Turkey Potato Soup

 Creamy Turkey Potato Soup 

1 lb Bacon, diced and fried 

2 tbsp reserved bacon fat or olive oil

1/4 cup Butter

2 large onions, finely chopped

4 cups Carrots,shredded or diced

4 stalks celery, diced

1 tsp Garlic, minced

8 cups cubed Potatoes

2 cups Whole Milk

12 cups Turkey Broth*

4 cups Turkey, cut up

1 tsp Salt

1/2 tsp Pepper 

1 tbsp Italiano 

1/2 cup Cornstarch

1 cup Whipping Cream 

2 cups shredded Marble Cheese 

Heat the bacon fat or olive oil in a pot with the butter. 

Add in the onions, carrots and celery. Saute until veggies are soft. 

Add in the minced garlic, potatoes, milk,broth, turkey, bacon, salt, pepper and Italiano. Bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer for about 20 minutes or until the potatoes are tender, stirring occasionally. 

Mix the cornstarch with about 1/2 cup of water;Pour into the soup and stir well until mixture has thickened. 

Add in cream but do not let soup come to a boil again!

Remove from heat. Gradually stir in shredded cheese until it has melted. 

Sprinkle additional shredded cheese and bacon bits into each bowl to serve if so desired. 

*I use a homemade Turkey broth made from the turkey bones but it can be substituted with store bought Chicken broth.