Ace's Cream of Celery Soup

Connie Bucy saved this recipe, which originated with Ace DuMond. As noted below, it's highly adaptable, as the basic recipe can be used for any cream of veggie soup.

½ pound bacon, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 large potato, peeled and sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups celery, chopped & destringed

Cook bacon until crisp. Save 1 tablespoon of the grease for soup. Saute rest of ingredients in the bacon grease and a small amount of butter. Sprinkle in 3 tablespoons of flour and stir until thick.
Pour clear broth or chicken broth (3 cups) into blender with most of bacon and blend. Add part of the veggies and add 1 to 2 cups of warm milk. Add rest of veggies, the reserved tablespoon of bacon grease and blend again.

Season with: salt, white pepper, celery salt, cumin, parsley, paprika. Garnish with remaining bacon and croutons

This basic recipe can be used for any veggie you choose to make a cream soup out of.