Simple Potato Soup

Simple potato soup by Ashlei
Serves 6-8

Ingredients:

1 medium sweet yellow onion, chopped
A tab of butter
4 or 5 yukon or large red potatoes, chopped (I like them unpeeled, your choice)
2 or 3 celery stalks, chopped
2 or 3 large carrots, chopped
Chicken broth (about 64 oz. if store bought)
1/3 to a 1/2 of a pint of half-and-half
Seasonings of your choice — I like fresh thyme, parsley, garlic salt and green onions or chives

Preparation:

Melt butter in a soup pot on medium heat, making sure not to burn it (if it becomes brown, wash it out and start again — it really throws the taste off). After the butter is melted, throw in your chopped onions and celery with your seasonings, and sauté them until cooked, for about five minutes. When the celery and onions are soft, add your chopped carrots and potatoes and the chicken broth, and bring to a boil. Once the soup is boiling, bring it down to medium-low heat and let it simmer for about a half hour or until your potatoes are done to your liking. Add seasoning to taste if needed. Put the soup on low temperature, and give it 3-5 minutes to cool before adding the cream. (If the cream is added while the soup is too hot, it can curdle.) While stirring the soup, slowly add in the cream; mix well and serve.