Jamie's Loaded Potato Soup

Or as my kids call it... Love in a bowl!  This soup is really easy and souper delicous. (sorry couldn't help myself on that one!) ;) It definitely is comfort food, perfect easy meal for football Sunday.

5lb bag of Potatoes
4oz reduced fat sour cream (Kroger brand with chives in it good too)
1/2 stick of butter (I use salted)
8 oz low-fat buttermilk
bacon bits (hormel work fine)
Salt & Black Pepper to taste (I also add a healthy dash of white pepper)
2c Cheddar or Colby Cheese (shredded) reserve a bit for topping
1/2 tsp Tarragon (optional)
1/2 tsp Onion powder (optional)
Fresh chives (for garnish)

Scrub potatoes well. Then Halve potatoes, and cut in half again so that they are in chunky quarters.  Add all the potatoes in the pot, fill with water till covered.  Boil till soft, and potatoes can be poked with a fork.  Pour potatoes in to colander and drain all the water.  Put all the potatoes into Kitchen Aid mixer, mix in butter, buttermilk, sour cream mix most of the chunks out.  Pour back into stock pot that you cooked them in, and add the rest of the ingredients.  Let simmer on the stove.  Sometimes I add corn to this recipe to and its more like a chowder. If you like your soup more soupy add a bit more milk. Top with a little more cheddar cheese & a few fresh chives.

Enjoy!