Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400ºF.
  2. Wrap entire garlic bulb tightly in foil; place garlic and potatoes in oven. (You do not need to put them on a pan; they can go right on an oven rack.).
  3. Bake garlic until soft when squeezed, about 45 minutes; remove from oven and let cool. Continue baking potatoes until tender when pierced, about 15 minutes more; let potatoes stand until cool enough to handle.
  4. Meanwhile, cook bacon in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until browned, about 6 minutes.
  5. Place bacon on paper towels to drain off any fat; chop bacon.
  6. Unwrap garlic and squeeze pulp from bulb with hands into a large saucepan.
  7. Peel potatoes and add to saucepan; mash with a potato masher until smooth.
  8. Gradually stir in broth, thyme, salt and pepper until blended; place saucepan over medium heat and cook until hot, stirring occasionally, about 5 to 10 minutes.
  9. Spoon about 1 1/3 cups of soup into each of 6 soup bowls.
  10. Top each with 1 tablespoon of sour cream, 1 tablespoon of cheese, 1 rounded tablespoon of bacon and 1 tablespoon of scallions.
  11. Grind fresh pepper over top if desired.