So, you know I have this thing about bacon. I can’t help it. I start frying bacon and when it’s good and crispy I remove it from the pan and add onions…….well…….at this point, there is just no going back. It’s love pure and simple! Can there be a better smell in this world than bacon and onion co-mingling in a pan? I know there are some smells equally as good, but better, I think not! So when I want a soup that causes my ever so spoiled taste buds to fairly jingle with joy, I fix this soup. And because it’s quick and easy to prepare, it’s perfect to serve your family on a weeknight. It even has a reasonable amount of nutritional value. (Absolutely better for your family than a meal of fast food burgers and fries or fried chicken any day!) Plus, the kids don’t ever have to know that the soup is good for them. (They don’t even have to know about the dreaded onion!) In fact, don’t mention any of the other ingredients besides of course the bacon! Call it “Bacon Soup”.   Just let the wonderful flavor of the soup speak for itself. And of course, don’t forget to add the fact that your kids actually ate the soup to your “parents versus kids” score card. Yes I know, parents shouldn’t resort to keeping a score card, but darn, it’s hard work being a good parent. Let’s take our little point advantages where we can. Keeping a little imaginary score card helped me through the sometimes rough periods while raising my children, especially when I‘d have one of those days when I was absolutely not at the top of my game. End of day total: kids 9, mom 3! Reflecting on my mental scorecard helped me remember that most of the time I was still lead scorer for team family. It also helped me keep a healthier perspective on how I was doing as a parent as I maneuvered through the day in, day out mini negotiations that constitute family life. Now you may not be as analytical about child rearing as I was. Or wish to think of parenting as a contest where you fervently hope and pray that you and your kids all end up as winners. But I’m sure you will concede that serving food that doesn’t cause a major meltdown at the dinner table (including your own) is an achievement worthy of something, even if it’s just a little mental pat on the back! And since I am sure you are wondering, I threw my mental score card away years ago. And hopefully, if any of my kids were keeping a score card on me, they have done the same!

• 6 slices lean bacon, diced
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 c. chicken stock
• 1 c. milk
• 1 tsp. Worcestershire
• 1 squirt hot sauce
• ¼ c. flour
• 1 T. dried parsley
• ¼ tsp. granulated garlic
• freshly ground black pepper
• 2 ½ c. frozen corn or one can of corn, well drained
• ¼ c. chopped green pepper
• ¼ c. chopped red pepper
• 1 small can diced green chilies
• 2 c. grated sharp cheddar cheese, or more to taste

In a medium sized sauce pan, fry bacon until crisp. Remove bacon from pan and drain on paper towel. Remove as much grease as possible from pan. Add chopped onion and sauté until golden. In a bowl, whisk together the chicken stock, milk, Worcestershire, hot sauce, flour, parsley, granulated garlic, and black pepper. Add to onions and bring to a boil over medium heat whisking the entire time. Reduce heat and simmer for about 5 minutes. Add the corn, peppers, chilies, and reserved bacon. Cook an additional 5 minutes. Just before serving, remove soup from heat, stir in cheese, and adjust seasonings. If you are feeding children, serve with apple slices and Goldfish. (The cheesy ones!)