Creamy Potato Ham Soup

Ingredients -

2 tablespoons Butter
1 medium Onion, chopped
1/2 cup thinly sliced Celery
6 cups peeled, diced Potatoes
1 cup diced Carrots
2 cups diced Cooked Ham
2 cups Chicken Broth
1 quart Half-and-Half or Milk
1 teaspoon Coarse Salt
dash of Fresh Ground Black Pepper
Sharp Cheddar Cheese

Preparation:

1. Add butter to stockpot. Heat over medium heat.

2. Sauté onion and celery until onion is soft. Stir in potatoes, carrots, onion and celery, ham, and chicken broth.

3. Reduce heat to low. Simmer 20 minutes, but do not boil.

4. Stir in half-and-half or milk, salt and pepper.

5. Simmer until heated through.

6. Top individual soup servings with shredded cheese.

Soup Making Tip

Thickening

Puree some of the potatoes in a blender with the soup broth. Return the potatoes to the soup and stir.

Soup Making Tip

Half-and-Half

Both half-and-half or milk work well in this ham soup recipe. You could use a combination of the two if necessary, or desired.