Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✅ Irish Comfort in a Bowl – Mashed potatoes and greens reimagined as a soul-warming soup.
✅ Creamy & Cozy – Blended potatoes create a silky base without heavy cream.
✅ Quick & Easy – Ready in under 40 minutes with simple ingredients.
✅ Customizable – Add sausage, swap kale for cabbage, or top with cheese.
✅ Budget-Friendly – Uses pantry staples like potatoes and bacon.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Serves 4–6

For the Soup:

• 🥓 6 slices bacon, diced (or pancetta for a richer flavor)
• 🧅 1 large onion, chopped
• 🧄 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 🥔 4 large russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 🍗 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 🥬 2 cups kale or cabbage, finely chopped
• 🥛 ½ cup heavy cream (optional, for extra richness)
• 🧂 Salt and pepper, to taste
• 🌿 1 tsp fresh thyme (or ½ tsp dried)

For Garnish:

• 🌱 Green onions, sliced
• 🥓 Crumbled bacon
• 🧀 Shredded cheddar or Dubliner cheese
• 🍞 Buttered crusty bread, for serving

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Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Bacon

• In a large pot, cook diced bacon over medium heat until crispy.
• Remove half for garnish; leave the rest in the pot for extra flavor.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatics

• Add chopped onion to the bacon grease and cook until soft and translucent.
• Stir in minced garlic and thyme, cooking for another 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 3: Simmer Potatoes

• Add the cubed potatoes and broth to the pot.
• Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are fork-tender (about 15–20 minutes).

Step 4: Mash & Add Greens

• Use a potato masher or immersion blender to partially mash the potatoes.
• Stir in the chopped kale or cabbage and let cook until wilted (about 3–5 minutes).
• If using, add heavy cream for extra richness and stir well.

Step 5: Serve & Top

• Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with reserved crispy bacon, sliced green onions, and a sprinkle of shredded cheese.
• Serve hot with buttered crusty bread on the side.

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Why This Recipe Works

🔥 Bacon Base – The rendered fat adds a smoky depth to the broth.
🥣 Partial Mashing – Creates a creamy texture without losing the hearty potato chunks.
🥬 Kale/Cabbage Balance – Greens add freshness to balance out the rich, starchy soup.

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Tips & Variations

✅ Make It Heartier – Add cooked sausage, ham, or shredded chicken for more protein.
✅ Dairy-Free Option – Skip the heavy cream or use coconut milk for a subtle twist.
✅ Vegetarian Swap – Use vegetable broth and replace bacon with smoked paprika for a hint of smokiness.
✅ Extra Flavor Boost – Stir in a splash of white wine or a dash of nutmeg for added depth.
✅ Storage & Reheating – Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove, adding a splash of broth if needed.