Slow Cooked Cheesy Potato Soup

Ingredients

• 3 slices bacon
• 1 cup onion, chopped
• 1 medium stalk celery, diced
• 3 lbs baking potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/4" chunks
• 1/2 cup water
• 3 1/2 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• chives
• sour cream
• bacon
• cheese

Directions

1. Cook bacon in a large skillet until crisp. Remove from pan, keeping 3 teaspoons of drippings behind.
2. Crumble bacon and store in fridge. Add onion and celery to the pan, and saute until tender.
3. Place potato, onion, and celery in a slow cooker coated with cooking spray, then add water, chicken broth, salt, and pepper. Cook covered on low for 8 hours, or until the potatoes are tender.
4. Mash the potatoes in the crock pot. Combine flour and milk, then stir into the potato mixture with 3/4 cup cheese.
5. Increase the heat to high, and cook covered for another 30 minutes, or until the mixture thickens slightly.
6. Serve the soup into bowls and top with crumbled bacon, remaining cheese, and any other garnish (such as sour cream and chives) you wish.