Start by heating 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large stock pot over medium heat. Wait until the butter melts completely and sizzles just a bit. You’ll know it’s ready for the next step when it combines into a smooth mixture.
Next, add in 1 large yellow onion, diced, and 12 large garlic cloves, minced. Stir them together, allowing the flavors to meld. You want the onions to become translucent and soft, which usually takes about 12 to 15 minutes. Be careful not to let them brown; a gentle sauté is the key to avoid bitterness.
Once the onions are soft, it’s time to add the main components. Pour in 8 cups of low sodium chicken stock along with 3 pounds of peeled and cut red or gold potatoes. Stir everything together to ensure the potatoes are submerged in the broth.
Increase the heat to high and bring the mixture to a boil. This step is crucial as it softens the potatoes quickly. Once boiling, reduce the heat back to medium and let it simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender.
After the potatoes are tender, you can blend the mixture. Using an immersion blender, carefully blend until all the chunks are broken down. If you don’t have an immersion blender, you can transfer the soup in batches to a regular blender. Once blended, return the mixture to the pot.
Now it’s time to add flavor! Stir in 1 cup of half & half, 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, ½ teaspoon of cumin, ½ teaspoon of onion powder, ½ teaspoon of garlic powder, ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper, 2 teaspoons of kosher salt, and ½ teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper. Stir well until everything is combined and heated through.
Let the soup warm back up for another 10 to 15 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, prepare your herby compound butter by mixing ½ cup of unsalted butter at room temperature with 2 teaspoons of minced fresh rosemary, 2 teaspoons of minced fresh thyme, and ½ teaspoon of kosher salt. Blend it all together until well incorporated.
To serve, ladle the Creamy Potato Soup into bowls and add a dollop of your prepared herby compound butter. Watch as it melts and swirls into the soup, enriching the flavor. Garnish with additional fresh rosemary and thyme if desired.
Enjoy your delicious creation! This Creamy Potato Soup pairs beautifully with bread or a fresh salad, making it a complete meal.
