Country Potato Soup

Potato soup is a classic country soup. You can make it with or without meat or with bacon, ham or sausage. I personally like it without meat and leave out the bacon.

8 slices lean bacon
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup onion, chopped
2 medium potatoes, peeled and cut in 1-inch cubes (about 3 cups)
2 1/2 cups water
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon graded nutmeg. rounded
1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram, rounded
1/2 teaspoon celery salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup milk
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons minced parsley

Chop the bacon completely. In a deep soup kettle, saute the bacon, celery and onion over medium heat until the onion is golden, about 5 minutes. Add the potatoes, water , and seasonings, bring to boil over high heat. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Mash potatoes slightly - about one-quarter of the cubes should still be whole. Remove the bay leaf. Add the milk, Worcestershire sauce, and parleys and bring again to a boil. Serve hot.