Crock Pot Ham & Cauliflower Chowder

• 1 large cauliflower
• 1 cup onion, diced
• 1 cup celery, diced
• 6 medium fresh mushrooms, chopped
• 1 (10 3/4 ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 (10 3/4 ounce) can cream of celery soup
• 2 cups half-and-half
• 2 cups chicken broth or 2 cups chicken stock
• 2 -3 cups cooked ham, cubed
• 3 tablespoons potato flakes
• 1/4 - 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded (optional)
• Tabasco sauce (optional)

1. Steam trimmed whole head of cauliflower with stalk down for about 6 minutes.
2. Remove and cool to handle.
3. Break off florets and finely dice stalk.
4. In cast iron skillet, saute onion and celery in butter or oil over Medium-High heat until softened.
5. Add diced ham and saute 1 minutes.
6. Place all ingredients EXCEPT Half and Half and cheddar cheese in crock pot.
7. Stir to blend.
8. Cook on LOW for 6 hours; extract 2 cups of chowder and add 3 tablespoons potato flakes and puree in blender until smooth; return to crock pot.
9. Add Half and Half; and cook 30 mins.to 1 hour.
10. Sprinkle individual servings with cheddar cheese, if desired.

cauliflower, onion, celery, fresh mushrooms, cream of mushroom soup, cream of celery soup, chicken broth, ham, potato flakes, cheddar cheese, tabasco sauce

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/crock-pot-ham-cauliflower-chowder-114274 (may not work)