Ingredients:
2 cups salt water
1 lb medium shrimp
1/8 lb butter ( 1/2 stick)
1 small onions, diced
2 medium carrots, diced about the same size as the onion
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
8 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
4 cups milk
2 chicken bouillon cubes, dissolved in 1/2 cup hot milk
1 cup half-and-half
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
crumbled bacon bits, for garnish
grated sharp cheddar cheese, for garnish
dill sprigs, garnish (optional)
Directions:
In a small saucepan, bring the salted water to a boil. Add the shrimp all at once and stir well. Watch the shrimp closely; as soon as they all turn pink, about 2 or 3 mintes, turn off the heat and drain. The shrimp should be slightly undercooked. When they are cool, peel them and chop roughly into big chunks — or not. Paula likes to leave her shrimp whole, so this is your preference.
In a 4-quart saucepan, melt the butter and saute the onion and carrots until both are slightly tender, about 5 minutes. Do not allow to take on color. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Add the potatoes, milk, and dissolved bouillon cubes. Cook over medium heat for 15 minutes, until the potatoes are very soft and some of them have begun to dissolve into mush. Mine took longer to reach this point. I suggest covering the pot during this time. Add the half-and-half, salt and pepper.
When heated through, serve soup sprinkled with bacon bits and grated cheese. Garnish with dill sprigs, if desired.
Servings: 6-8
Time preparation: 20 min.
Time total: 45 min.