How to make
The diced bacon is baked until it aquires a golden and crispy crust in a non greased pan over medium heat. Remove it and set it aside.
In a deep pot pour the olive oil and add a large lump of butter. Heat it them up and add the chopped onions, carrots, celery and leave them to stew for a few minutes until they soften.
Add the flour while stirring vigorously, as well as the diced ham, potatoes, thyme, black pepper, bacon and bay leaf.
Add the broth and peppercorns. Leave it on a moderate heat until the vegetables are cooked through.
When serving the potato soup, you can also add cream and croutons with parmesan if you like.
The winter potato soup with baked bacon and ham is ready.
Note: I used beef broth. The parmesan croutons are bought ready-made from a special bakery store.