Creamy Ham and Potato Soup

Creamy ham and potato soup is a comforting and hearty dish, perfect for a cozy meal. Here’s a recipe to make this delicious soup:

Ingredients:

• 4 cups potatoes, peeled and diced (about 4-5 medium potatoes)
• 1 cup diced ham (cooked)
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 1/2 cup diced carrots
• 1/2 cup diced celery
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 2 cups milk (whole or 2%)
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional, for garnish)
• Chopped fresh parsley or chives for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat.
2. Add the diced onions, carrots, celery, and garlic to the pot. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables start to soften.
3. Sprinkle the flour over the sautéed vegetables and stir to combine. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste.
4. Gradually pour in the chicken or vegetable broth while stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Stir until the mixture thickens and begins to simmer.
5. Add the diced potatoes and dried thyme to the pot. Bring the soup to a simmer and cook for about 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
6. Stir in the diced ham and cook for an additional 5 minutes to heat the ham through.
7. Pour in the milk and stir to combine. Allow the soup to simmer for an additional 5-10 minutes, ensuring it’s heated through.
8. Taste the soup and season with salt and black pepper as needed.
9. If you prefer a creamier soup, you can use an immersion blender to partially blend the soup, leaving some chunks for texture. Alternatively, you can remove about 2 cups of the soup, blend it until smooth, and then return it to the pot.
10. Serve the creamy ham and potato soup hot, garnished with shredded cheddar cheese and chopped fresh parsley or chives if desired.

This creamy ham and potato soup is both satisfying and comforting. It’s perfect for a chilly day or when you want a hearty and delicious meal. Enjoy!