BLT&C Soup

Ingredients

• 1 lb bacon, cooked & crumbled
• 12 cup butter or 12 cup margarine
• 1 stalk celery, finely chopped
• 12 medium red bell pepper, seeded and finely chopped
• 1 (14 1/2 ounce) canpetite diced tomatoes, drained
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons garlic, minced
• 12 cup flour
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 12 teaspoon dried thyme
• salt and pepper, to your taste
• 2 cups shredded cheese
• 12 cup instant mashed potatoes, for thickening
• chopped lettuce
• bacon bits
• crouton