Reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
05While the soup is simmering, fry up about a half a package of bacon. Crumble and set aside. You can stir the bacon into the soup if you’d like and simmer it all together for flavor, or just crumble the bacon on top of the soup after it has been ladled into bowls.
06If you choose peppered bacon, you can skip adding any extra black pepper.
07Optional add-ins for a heartier soup include a cup of frozen sweet corn, 1 1/2 cups cooked brown or white rice, or 1 cup frozen peas.
08Photo credit goes to www.letajoy.com, who made the soup from my recipe. Thanks, Leta!