Amazing Ham and Potato Soup

I have the most amazing ham and potato soup for you all. I found this recipe looking for a way to use up leftover ham and I am in love! It is so creamy, the first time we ate this soup I grabbed the cheese expecting to need it, but I never added it, because this soup is amazing on it's own.

Ingredients

•  3 1/2 cups peeled and diced potatoes
•  1/3 cup diced celery
•  1/3 cup finely chopped onion
•  3/4 cup diced cooked ham
•  3 1/4 cups water
•  2 tablespoons chicken bouillon granules
•  1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
•  1 teaspoon ground white or black pepper, or to taste
•  5 tablespoons butter
•  5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
•  2 cups milk

Combine the potatoes, celery, onion, ham and water in a stockpot. Use the directions from my previous post to chop the onion. Bring it to a boil. Reduce to medium heat and boil 10-15 minutes until potatoes are tender (break easily with a fork). Stir in chicken bouillon and salt.

In a separate saucepan melt butter over medium-low heat. Stir in flour. This makes what is called a roux. Then add the milk slowly, stir until smooth.  Continue to stir for 4 or 5 minutes until it thickens. You will know when it is ready when the sauce coats the back of a spoon.

Stir milk mixture into the soup. Add the pepper last, I definitely recommend adding a quarter teaspoon at a time and then tasting it until you reach the perfect amount of pepper for you. I did a full teaspoon the first time and thought it was a bit much, you know your family best so just do what works for you.

Dinner is served!