Cheesy Creamy Potato and Ham Soup

We had a nice ham dinner the other day when my Grandmother came in town for a visit. One of my favorite things about my mom getting a ham is that I often get the ham bone and can use it to make a terrific soup.

I looked up this recipe online (recipezaar.com) when I got a ham bone a few years ago. I used this recipe with alterations and it wasn't great. The next year when I got the bone for soup I followed the directions and the soup was amazing! I'll follow the recipe from now on. (I think I was nervous about making the roux, but it was surprisingly easy to do.)

One thing that I really liked about this recipe is it tastes so creamy, but it doesn't have cream in it. There is quite a bit of butter and cheddar cheese, and I know those are loaded with calories, but at least those are ingredients I have around the house anyways.

Here's the recipe:

Cheesy Creamy Potato and Ham Soup

Serves: 6-8, Yield: 12 cups

Ingredients:

* 4 cups water
* 1 large ham bone
* 2 1/4 cups potatoes, diced
* 2 medium potatoes, halved
* 2 1/4 cups ham, cubed
* 1 medium onion, diced
* 3 garlic cloves, minced
* 5 tablespoons butter
* 5 tablespoons flour
* 2 1/2 cups milk
* 1 3/4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
* salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Boil ham bone in 4 cups of water in large stock pot for approx 1 hour. (If omitting this step use 4 chicken bouillon or 4 cups chicken broth instead).

2. Remove ham bone and strain stock to remove any debris.

3. Boil the 2 med potatoes halved in stock until softened, remove to separate bowl.

4. Combine 2 1/4 cups diced potatoes, 1 med onion and 3 minced garlic cloves and add to stock. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cook until potatoes are tender.

5. Mash 2 halved potatoes with small amount of milk and add to stock (helps to thicken).

6. In separate pan, melt butter. Add in flour a tablespoon at a time to make a roux or paste. Add milk and blend well to make a cream sauce.

7. Simmer cream sauce for 2 minutes. Add cheese and blend well. Mixture will be very gooey.

8. Add cheese blend to soup and gently mix to combine.

(It doesn't say where to add the ham. I did it while I was making the roux.)

I have added broccoli in the past because it just goes so well. I wanted to this time, but as it turned out the broccoli I had intended to use had gone bad. Drat!