WINE & FOOD AFFAIR RECIPES

Soups

Loaded Baked Potato Soup

Papapietro Perry Winery

4791 Dry Creek Road
Healdsburg, CA 95448
papapietro-perry.com

Who doesn't love baked potatoes? This creation is everything that is wonderful about a baked potato in a soup. Created by Chef Brandon at Firefly Catering, the delicious soup pairs perfectly with our wines and is just the ticket for a cold fall day.

Ingredients:
  • 3/4 pound bacon
  • 1 1/2 cups julienned leeks
  • 6 cups chicken stock
  • 2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cut into small dice
  • 2/3 cup unsalted butter
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups milk
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • 10 ounces sour cream
  • 2 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
  • 3/4 cup sliced green onions

Directions:

In a large frying pan over medium heat, cook the bacon until crisp, 6 to 7 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain. When cool, crumble the bacon and set aside. 

Reserve 2 tablespoons bacon drippings in the pan and place the pan over medium-low heat. Add the leeks and cook, stirring occasionally, until almost tender but not caramelized, about 6 minutes.

In a 6-quart Dutch oven over high heat, combine the leeks, stock and potatoes and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and cook until the potatoes are very tender, about 10 minutes

Meanwhile, in the same frying pan over low heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour until smooth, then cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Gradually stir in 2 cups of the milk. Pour the milk mixture into the potato mixture, then add the remaining 2 cups milk and the salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with the whisk, until the mixture is thickened and bubbly.

Stir in half of the bacon, 8 ounces of the sour cream, 2 cups of the cheese and 1/2 cup of the green onions. Cook, stirring, until the cheese is melted and the soup is heated through. 

Ladle the soup into warmed bowls and top with the remaining 2 ounces sour cream, bacon, 1/2 cup cheese and 1/4 cup green onions. Enjoy with a glass of Papapietro Perry Pinot Noir!