creamy ham and potato soup

Preparation Time: 20 minutes Cooking Time: 30 minutes Total Time: 50 minutes Recipe Intensity: Easy

Ingredients:

• 4 cups potatoes, peeled and diced into bite-sized pieces
• 1 cup diced cooked ham
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 1/2 cup diced celery
• 1/2 cup diced carrots
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (optional, for thickening)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
• Grated cheddar cheese for topping (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat.
2. Add the diced onion, celery, and carrots to the pot. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are softened.
3. Add the minced garlic and dried thyme to the pot. Stir and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
4. Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables in the pot (if using) and stir to combine. Cook for about 1 minute to remove the raw flour taste.
5. Slowly pour in the chicken broth while stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
6. Add the diced potatoes to the pot. Cover and simmer for about 15-20 minutes or until the potatoes are tender and cooked through.
7. Stir in the diced cooked ham and heavy cream. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
8. Let the soup simmer for another 5-10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together and the soup to thicken slightly.
9. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning if needed.
10. Ladle the creamy ham and potato soup into serving bowls. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and grated cheddar cheese if desired.
11. Serve the soup hot with crusty bread or crackers on the side.

Note: If you prefer a thicker soup, you can mash some of the potatoes with a potato masher or blend a portion of the soup with an immersion blender before adding the ham and cream. This will help thicken the soup naturally.

Enjoy this creamy and flavorful ham and potato soup as a comforting meal for lunch or dinner!