Holiday Ham-Bone Potato Soup

INGREDIENTS

• 1 ham bone with visible meat
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 4 c water
• 1 rib celery, chopped
• 2 tsp garlic
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 5 medium red potatoes, cut into cubes
• 1/2 c butter
• 1/2 c flour
• 2 c half-and-half
• 1 c diced ham, optional.

PREPARATION

1. Place first 6 ingredients in Dutch oven, bring to a boil over medium.
2. Simmer 30 minutes, or until meat separates from bone.
3. Shred ham from the bone, return to the pot.
4. Add potatoes, bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender.
5. While potatoes are cooking, in a medium saucepan, melt butter--do not brown.
6. Add flour, stir to incorporate well, Cook about a minute.
7. Bring heat to medium-high.
8. Gradually stir in half-and-half until creamy, thick and bubbly, being careful not to scorch.
9. Remove from heat
10. When the potatoes are tender, add the sauce mixture, stirring over medium until the desired consistency. Add milk to thin if needed.
11. Add the optional ham, if using.
12. Add salt if the ham is not salty enough.

( food.com )

-- JMag Guthrie - 2016-12-18