Wrote this out for my FIL a while ago so he could make it. I’ve been making it for 20 years so it was strange to write it down.

1 medium yellow onion diced

3-4 slices bacon

1-2 tablespoon flour

1-2 carrots sliced

1 big head of broccoli or 2 mediums (depends on how much you want in there)

2-3 large potatoes or equivalent, cubed

4 cups stock, any will do as long as it’s not low sodium. Can use low but add more salt.

As much cheese as you want, probably around 2 cups

Salt and pepper

Herbes de Provence if you have it. Italian seasoning can work too. A big pinch or two.

Cook the bacon in a Dutch oven and remove but leave the grease. Cook the onion in the grease on medium heat until translucent- they shouldn’t really be browned. To make this vegetarian you can use butter and omit the bacon.

Lower heat and add flour. Stir the flour in until absorbed. Don’t burn the flour. Muy importante.

Add the stock while stirring. Can now bring the heat back up to medium high.

Add all the veggies and herbes and bring to low boil. Reduce heat and simmer until the potatoes crush easily (45-60 min). Stir every once in a while.

Mash veggies to desired consistency. Add cheese. Taste. Add salt and pepper to taste. Chop up the bacon and put on top after dishing up to keep it crunchy.