Ingredients

2 medium potatoes (about 2 cups chopped)

2 tablespoons butter

1 cup diced onion

2 cups water

1/4 cup cornstarch

1 1/2 cup instant mashed potatoes

1 teaspoon salt

3/4 teaspoon pepper

1/2 teaspoon basil

1/8 teaspoon thyme

1 cup half and half

Garnish with: cheese, bacon, green onions

First bake or boil the potatoes.  Then let butter and saute onions until light brown.  Add flour and stir.  Add stock, water, cornstarch, mashed potatoes, and spices and bring to boil.  Then turn heat down and simmer for 5 minutes.  Add potatoes (cut in chunks) and half and half.  Bring back to boil then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes or until it is thick.  Serve with cheese, bacon and green onions on top.