Garlicky Buttermilk Potato Soup

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons butter
  
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
  
• 6 cloves garlic, 3 minced, 3 whole
  
• ½ large onion, diced
  
• ½ teaspoon thyme leaves
  
• ½ teaspoon cayenne (optional)
  
• 4 cups chicken broth
  
• 3 large peeled potatoes
  
• 1 ½ cups buttermilk
  
• salt and pepper
  
• 1/8 cup cream
  
• Garnish with any of these: chopped cooked bacon, chopped chives, chopped ham,

Directions

Heat butter and oil in large soup pot. Sauté onion and garlic until fragrant and soft, about 2 minutes. Add chicken stock, thyme, cayenne, and potato. Bring to a simmer, let cook for 1 hour, checking and adding water as needed to keep from sticking to the bottom. Once potatoes are fully cooked, let the soup mixture cool, puree the soup in a food processor or blender. Use caution...Do not processor if too HOT! Add buttermilk and season to taste with salt and pepper.