Creamy Vegetable Soup

Ingredients (12)

• 1 large onion
• 1 pound carrots, peeled (4 to 5 medium)
• 4 celery sticks
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 pound thin-skinned potatoes (3 medium or 6 small potatoes)
• 3 garlic cloves, peeled and halved
• 3 cups chicken or vegetable stock, see how to make chicken stock
• 2 bay leaves
• 3 sprigs fresh thyme or substitute 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 cup half-and-half, cream, or non-dairy milk