Loaded Baked Potato Soup

Ingredients:

2 tbsp light butter, unsalted

1 onion, diced

1 carrot, diced

2 celery ribs, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 lb. red potatoes, skin on, diced

2 tbsp all-purpose flour

1 cup fat-free chicken broth

2 cups fat-free milk

2 tbsp fat-free sour cream

1/2 cup fat-free cheddar cheese, shredded

5 slices turkey bacon, cooked, diced

1 tbsp dried chives

1/8 tsp ground red pepper (optional)

Salt and pepper, to taste

2 scallions, thinly sliced

Directions:

In a stock pot, melt butter; add onion, carrot, and celery and cook until slightly caramelized.  Add garlic and potatoes; cooked until slightly brown.  Stir in flour and coat mixture completely; pour in chicken broth and milk.  Stir until mixture is well combined and slightly thickened; stir in sour cream, cheddar cheese, bacon, chives, ground red pepper, and season with salt and pepper to taste.  Cook on low for 20 minutes or until potatoes are completely cooked through.  Serve hot and garnished with thinly sliced scallions and additional shredded cheddar, bacon, and sour cream if desired!  Serves 4.

7 Weight Watchers points (additional points for any extra garnishes).