Creamy Potato Cheese Soup

Normally if someone tells me something is diet food I wrinkle my nose and say, "no, thanks." But the other day I had this creamy, hearty soup. When I asked my aunt what it was she told me, "Creamy potato cheese soup." Holy cow! Three of the most fattening things I love most! I immediately felt my thighs growing, but didn't care one iota, it was that good. Then, what she said next astounded me, "it's a Weight Watchers recipe." A what!? Really, it's diet food. And you'd never know the difference if someone didn't tell you. By the way, if you are on Weight Watchers it's 3 points per serving.

Creamy Potato Cheese Soup

1 medium onion, chopped
2 medium carrots, coarsely grated
3/4 tsp table salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp dry mustard
1 pound red potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
29 oz vegetable broth
1/2 cup fat-free half and half
8 oz low-fat cheddar or colby cheese

Coat a nonstick medium pot with cooking spray and set over medium heat. Cook onions until they just begin to color. Add carrots, salt, pepper, paprika and mustard. Mix well and continue to cook until carrots begin to soften.

Add potatoes, broth and half-and-half. Increase heat and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer. Cook until potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes. Add cheese and stir to melt; puree in batches in a blender. Yields about 6 heaping 1 cup servings.