Creamed Potato Soup

We really enjoyed this soup, although it's fairly heavy... recipe from Passionate Homemaking Delicious served with homemade bread!

Ingredients:
5 medium russet potatoes
1 large onion, sliced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp white pepper
4 cups chicken broth
1/2 lb sliced bacon, cooked and crumbled (save bacon grease for sauteing)
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
4-5 kale leaves, chopped, more or less as desired

Directions:
Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Scrub the potatoes, pat dry, and pierce several times with a fork. Set them directly on the oven rack and bake until tender, about 1 hour. Let cool completely on a cooling rack. If you don't have an hour (like me, just microwave them... for 5 potatoes, I put them in for 18 minutes).
Combine reserved bacon grease, onion, garlic, salt, and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened.
Add the chicken broth to the onion mixture.
Cut the cooled potatoes in 1/2 inch cubes. Remove peel on one or two of that potatoes. Set aside one cup of diced potatoes. Throw the remaining potatoes into the pot with the onions.
Puree the contents of the pot in batches in a blender until very smooth. (remember that hot things expand in the blender, so don't fill it more than halfway). Return the soup to the pot and reheat over medium low.
Whisk together the milk and sour cream and then whisk this into the soup, along with the reserved 1 cup potatoes, cheese, and bacon. Add chopped kale and allow to simmer for 10 minutes or so. Season more with salt and pepper as desired.
Serve garnished with cheese, bacon bits, or green onions, as desired.