Hearty Potato, Ham And Cheese Chowder
- 8 large baked potatoes
- 12 ounces mild shredded cheddar cheese
- 3/4 cup chopped celery
- 3/4 cup chopped onion
- 10 tablespoons margarine or 10 tablespoons butter, divided
- 6 ounces flour
- 8 cups milk
- 2 cups cubed cooked ham
- 4 chicken bouillon cubes
- black pepper
- crumbled cooked bacon (optional)
- Bake potatoes until done.
- Cool.
- Peel.
- Cut four potatoes into small cubes.
- Mash the remaining four with a fork.
- Set aside.
- Using a large soup pot, saute onion and celery in the 4 tablespoons of margarine or butter.
- Cook until celery is tender.
- Remove vegetables from pan.
- Place remaining 6 tablespoons of butter or margarine in pan.
- Add flour.
- Mix over low heat for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Gradually add milk, stirring constantly to blend with flour mixture.
- Add bouillon cubes and black pepper to taste.
- Readd celery and onions to pot.
- Add mashed potatoes.
- Cook until heated through.
- Add ham, and cubed potatoes.
- Cook over medium low heat 15 minutes, stirring often.
- Add cheese and bacon, if using, and cook until cheese is melted through.
- Add more milk if soup is too thick.
potatoes, cheddar cheese, celery, onion, margarine, flour, milk, ham, chicken bouillon cubes, black pepper, bacon
Taken from www.food.com/recipe/hearty-potato-ham-and-cheese-chowder-83421 (may not work)