Baked Potato Soup

This week for our Dine & Sign we had an awesome dinner: Cheddar Broccoli Soup, Chicken Noodle Soup, Chili, Baked Potatoes, Salad and Desserts.  The leftovers were distributed to people in need or who could be blessed by them but we weren't exactly sure what to do with all the leftover baked potatoes.  Soup or chili we could freeze but not the baked potatoes.  Therefore I had to look up Baked Potato Soup recipes!  This is the one I chose from Allrecipes.com.  I tripled the recipe so we'll be able to eat this for awhile. . . or giving a bunch away since it doesn't freeze well!

Prep: 10 min    Cook: 20 min   Ready in 30 min

Ingredients:
3 bacon strips, diced
1 small onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3 cups chicken broth
2 large baked potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 cup half-and-half cream
1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
Shredded Cheddar cheese
Minced fresh parsley

Directions
In a large saucepan, cook bacon until crisp. Drain, reserving 1 tablespoon drippings. Set bacon aside. Saute onion and garlic in the drippings until tender. 
Stir in flour, salt, basil and pepper; mix well. Gradually add broth. Bring to boil; boil and stir for 2 minutes. Add the potatoes, cream and hot pepper sauce; heat through but do not boil. Garnish with bacon, cheese and parsley.