In our household, when Fall brings in the cooler temps, Soup Season begins! Cracking the kitchen windows to let the crisp, cool air in and the steamy hot air out strikes that perfect balance of cozy! We love a good soup in the Fall and Winter months and cheesy potato soup is just always a good idea.
I took a recipe my Step-Mom gave me and as I was making it I thought to myself, "Every good soup needs garlic, carrots, and celery!" So I made a few changes that fit my personal preferences, added some things, and BOOM our favorite soup was officially born. It became such a fast favorite that it was gone after dinner because everyone wanted seconds, so we had to double the recipe the second time we made it because who makes soup and doesn't want leftovers the next day??
Cheesy Potato and Ham Chowder
Ingredients:
1.5-2lbs fully cooked ham (cubed or my go-to, cut up leftovers of spiral ham)
4-6 yellow potatoes (peeled and diced)
2 cups of Half & Half
1/2 of a 48oz Carton of Chicken Broth(you may use more, to taste or thin the texture, if preferred)
1 Can(15.25oz) Whole Kernal Corn (drained)
1 Can(14.75oz) Cream Style Corn
1 Large Shallot (finely chopped)
4 Cloves Garlic(or measure minced garlic from the jar!)
4-5 Carrots(peeled+ sliced or diced, your preference)
2 Celery Stalks(Sliced thinly)
1.5 Cups shredded Gouda (or shred a block of Gouda yourself)
1-2TBSP Oil to Sauté vegetables
Pepper, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder to taste(you can add salt, but do so sparingly as the ham and cheese provide salt as well!)
Directions:
Heat 1-2 TBSP of olive oil in large dutch oven over medium high heat. Sauté onions, celery, and carrots, stirring frequently, 3 minutes Add garlic and Ham and sauté another 2 minutes, keep stirring!(turn down the heat if it starts sticking)
Add Potatoes, Half & Half, and corn. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer, uncovered, 20-25 minutes, stirring as needed, until potatoes are tender.
Remove from heat and stir in cheese until melted
Serve with warm bread or rolls
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*If doubling the recipe I recommend you do not double the cream style corn as the texture really takes over! (Lived and learned)
**You could mix this up and add different ingredients, I think bacon would be a great addition for some smoky flavor, but may add too much saltiness?? A green onion garnish would be good!
