Ham & Cheddar Potato Soup

When you send your husband to the grocery store and there is a severe and expensive mistake made in the deli department, it is hard to know who is to blame.



For example, when you ask for a ham steak and for starters, you know there are packaged ham steaks that would be small and perfect.  But just in case, you write down a few specifications... 1/2 inch thick and you let the shopper know that you will need about 3/4 cup chopped ham in the end.

When the groceries arrive home, and you find yourself with a slab of ham that could be considered a Christmas dinner for six, who is to blame?  Let's go multiple choice...

a. The deli department.
Did they see that husband-sent-shopping from a mile away and think ah, today is the day I get this sucker to buy half my inventory?

b. Your husband.
Did he think, this purchase will seal the deal in me never having to grocery shop again.

c.  Your husband and the deli department.
Do husbands and deli departments have a little "you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours" deal going on?

d. You
Probably not, but should you have been more specific and realized that sending a man into a grocery store might be like him sending you to buy parts to fix the sink?

I have to say in this real life situation that recently happened to me, I'm not sure Mr. Hungry can be to blame.  Last year, I sent him with a list that included pancetta.  We had been on a big pizza kick and we needed just a sprinkle of diced pancetta.  When he came home with an $18 1 lb. chunk of pancetta, I had quite a few emotions, but none of them strong enough to take him off of the occasional grocery duty.  He knows he is not getting of that easy.

The good news is I needed the ham to try out this soup recipe and it instantly became a favorite.  I've made it three times in two weeks.  It's hearty, has so much flavor and makes the perfect chilly night meal.

As we continue our culinary study in ham, we have also had ham in our eggs, ham and pineapple pizza and we still have just a bit that I might need to find a way to heavily disguise because I'm not sure we can take much more.  At least I got a new favorite recipe out of this beautiful mistake.

From my little kitchen to yours... Enjoy.

Ham & Cheddar Potato Soup
Makes 6 to 8 servings

Note
Note about chicken bouillon: Chicken bouillon comes in granules or cubes and can be found next to chicken broth in the grocery store.  I think the cubes are easiest to work with and store, but the granules will do the trick as well.
Ingredients
4 cups peeled and diced potatoes (about 1/2 - 1 inch cubes)
1/3 cup diced celery
1/3 cup finely chopped yellow onion
3/4 cup diced cooked ham
4 cups water
4 chicken bouillon cubes or 2 tablespoons chicken bouillon granules
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground pepper
5 tablespoons butter
5 tablespoons flour
2 cups milk
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese + more for garnish
Step by Step
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, salt and pepper.
In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in flour with a wire whisk, 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 to 5 minutes.  Add one cup of shredded cheddar cheese and stir until melted and blended.
Stir the milk mixture into the stockpot, and cook soup until heated through. 

Garnish with extra cheddar cheese and serve hot. 

//Adapted from allrecipes.com

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