Potato Soup, Gluten Free

Ingredients

• 1 – 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, peeled and chopped
• 4 ribs of celery, chopped
• 1 teaspoon ground rosemary
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 teaspoons dried parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
• kosher or sea salt
• 2 pounds red or white potatoes, scrubbed
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped
• 4 ounces (about 1 cup) bacon bits
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 quart chicken or vegetable stock
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/2 cup heavy cream or half/half
• freshly ground black pepper
• sour cream or Greek yogurt (optional)
• chives, chopped (optional)