Baked Potato Soup

3 bacon strips (or 1 T. oil and bacon bits)
1 small onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
3 T. flour
1 t. salt
1 t. dried basil
1/2 t. pepper
3 c. chicken broth
2 large baked potatoes, peeled and cubed (and YES baked first)
1 c. half and half
1/2 t. hot pepper sauce (like tabasco or something else hot and spicy)
shredded cheddar
minced fresh parsley

In a large saucepan, cook bacon until crisp.  Drain, reserving 1 T. drippings.

Saute onion and garlic in the drippings until tender.  (I didn't have bacon, so I used olive oil in place of the drippings.)  Stir in flour, salt, basil, and pepper; mix well.  Gradually add broth.  Bring to boil; boil and stir for two minutes.  Add the potatoes, cream and hot pepper sauce; heat through but do not boil.  Garnish with bacon (or Bacon Bits stuff), cheese, and parsley.  This was soooo yummy.  Serves 4.