Creamy Potato Soup

Ingredients

• 1 ½ pounds 680g potatoes, peeled and diced (4 cups)
• 1 medium onion (finely chopped (2 cups))
• 2 medium carrots (finely chopped (1 cup))
• 2 stalks of celery (finely chopped (1 cup))
• 3 tablespoons olive oil or butter
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic (3 to 4 cloves)
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary or 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 4 cups vegetable broth or chicken stock
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
• 1/4 cup half and half (cream, plain yogurt, or sour cream)
• 1 cup 2 ounces shredded cheese, optional
• For garnish (optional: Scallions or chives, crumbled bacon, sour cream, fried shallots, hot sauce)