Karen's Baked Potato Soup with Potato Skin Croutons - A Zest for Life

Ingredients

• 3 large yukon gold potatoes (about 1.5 pounds, baked for I hour; 350 degrees )
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 cup leeks (whites and light greens, cleaned and sliced thinly )
• 3/4 cup carrots (cleaned and diced )
• 1/2 cup celery (cleaned and diced )
• 3/4 cup parsnip (cleaned and diced )
• 1 tablespoon garlic (peeled and minced )
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
• 1 tablespoons flour (can use gluten free flour blend )
• 3 cups vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 cup milk (full fat )
• 8 ounces silken tofu
• 1 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 cup extra sharp cheddar cheese (grated )
• 2 teaspoon fresh chives or scallions (small chop )
• 1 teaspoon dill leaves
• 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary (chopped fine )
• 2 tablespoons crispy bacon (crumbled (optional) )