Potato and Bacon Soup 🍲  
Warm your heart and soul with every spoonful of this delightful family favorite!  

🍽️ Ingredients 🍽️  
- 1 cup heavy cream or milk for a lighter option  
- 4 large russet potatoes, peeled and diced  
- 6 slices of bacon, chopped  
- 3 cloves garlic, minced  
- 1 medium onion, diced  
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth  
- Salt and pepper to taste  
- Chopped green onions or chives, for garnish  
- 1 tsp dried thyme (optional)  
- Shredded cheddar cheese, for serving (optional)  

🧑‍🍳 Directions 🧑‍🍳  
1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon and set aside on a paper towel to drain. Keep about 2 tablespoons of the bacon drippings in the pot.  
2. In the same pot, add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.  
3. Add the diced potatoes, chicken or vegetable broth, and dried thyme (if using) to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 15-20 minutes.  
4. Using an immersion blender, blend the soup until smooth. Alternatively, transfer half of the soup to a blender, blend until smooth, and then return it to the pot. For a chunkier texture, blend only a portion.  
5. Stir in the heavy cream and season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the soup heat through for another 5 minutes.  
6. Ladle the soup into bowls and top with the crispy bacon, chopped green onions or chives, and shredded cheddar cheese if desired.  

🍎 Nutritional Information 🍎  
Approximate per serving:  
- Calories: 350  
- Carbohydrates: 35g  
- Protein: 10g  
- Fat: 20g  

💡 Tips and Tricks 💡  
- This soup pairs wonderfully with crusty bread or a simple side salad.  
- For added heat, consider a dash of hot sauce or freshly cracked black pepper.  

⏳ Preparation time 🍰  
Preparation time: 10 minutes | Cooking time: 30 minutes | Serving: 6.  

Enjoy this creamy and savory potato and bacon soup that's sure to warm you up!