Best Soup I Ever Ate

Loaded Baked Potato Soup-from I Heart Naptime

4 to 5 baked  potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
8 bacon slices, cooked and crumbled - reserve 1 Tbsp. bacon fat
4 Tbsp. butter
1 clove garlic
1/4 cup yellow onion, diced
1/3 cup all purpose flour
2 cups milk
1 cup half and half
2 cups chicken stock  ( I used one can of broth)
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
2 cups cheddar cheese, or a combo of whatever cheese you like
1 cup sour cream
green onions for garnish

Melt butter and bacon fat, add onion and minced garlic and cook til onion is soft, 3 or so minutes. Whisk in flour and stir for 1 to 2 minutes. Slowly whisk in milk, and half and half, whisking til smooth. Add chicken stock. Bring to a light simmer, stirring enough to keep it from burning on the bottom. Stir in salt and pepper and lightly simmer for 5 to 7 minutes, til it has thickened slightly.

Stir in cheese and bacon, reserving some of each for garnish if desired. Add sour cream and potatoes. You can mash up the potato chunks to your preference. Heat through and garnish with cheese, bacon and sour cream as desired.