Really Simple Potato Soup

Thanks to a deal on Michigan potatoes at our local big-box grocery ($1.50/10 pounds!), we've been searching out good potato recipes (feel free to share some of your own). Below is a potato soup recipe that is particularly simple.

What You Need:

• 3 pounds (about 5 large) russet potatoes
• 3 1/2 teaspoon(s) salt
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 stick of butter
• 2 2/3 cups whole milk
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 3/4 cup(s) shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

Steps:
Peel, rinse, and cut the potatoes into thirds. Place them in a large pot with water to cover, add 2 teaspoons salt, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook until the potatoes are very soft -- about 45 minutes. Drain the potatoes. Mash them with a potato masher until smooth. Add the sour cream and butter and stir until melted. Add the milk, pepper, and remaining salt and bring the soup back to a simmer. Garnish with shredded cheese.

Variations:
The original recipe calls for bacon and scallions as garnish -- we skipped both these, though only the bacon on ethical grounds. Also, I'm not sure if this would work, but I might try blending the potato/sour cream/butter mixture for a smoother soup.

Ambiance:
Best made when peeling potatoes sounds more appealing (a-peeling?) than grad-school reading.