Potato & Ham Soup

My friend Kathy and I were talking tonight and she mentioned having Potato & Ham Soup.  That sounds terriffic, we still have snow on the ground! I love to serve it with all the trimmings.

Potato and Ham Soup

A Crowd Pleaser for Any Group

3 ½ cups peeled and diced potatoes               ½ tsp. salt, or to taste

1/3 cup diced celery                                     1 tsp. ground white or black

1/3 cup finely chopped onion                          pepper to taste

¾ cup diced cooked ham/Canadian Bacon         5 tbsp. butter

3 ¼ cups water                                           5 tbsp. flour

2 tbsp. chicken bouillon                                 2 cups milk

Combine the potatoes, celery, onion, ham and water in a stockpot.  Bring to a boil then cook over medium heat until potatoes are tender, about 10 to 15 minutes.  Stir in the chicken bouillon, slat and pepper.  In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat.  Whisk in flour with a fork and cook, stirring constantly until thick, about 1 minute.  Slowly stir in milk as not to allow lumps to form until all of the milk has been added.  Continue stirring over medium-low heat until thick, 4-5 minutes.  Stir the milk mixture into the stockpot and cook soup until heated through.  Serve with condiment bowls of crisp fried bacon, grated sharp cheddar cheese, snipped chives and even chopped broccoli ~ let everyone build their own!