Description
Rich ham and potato soup delivers comfort in a bowl, perfect for chilly evenings. Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly, warming souls with each spoonful you savor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups (225 g) diced cooked ham
- 4 cups (600 g) diced potatoes (Russet or Yukon Gold)
- 3 cups (720 ml) chicken broth
- 2 cups (480 ml) milk
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 3 tbsps unsalted butter
- ¼ cup (30 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- ½ cup (60 g) shredded cheddar cheese (optional, for garnish)
- 2 tbsps chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Vegetable Preparation: Combine diced potatoes, carrots, celery, and onions in a large pot with chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 15-20 minutes.
- Roux Creation: In a separate saucepan, melt butter and whisk in flour. Toast the mixture until golden and bubbling, developing a rich flavor base for the soup, approximately 1-2 minutes.
- Sauce Development: Slowly pour milk into the roux, whisking continuously to ensure a smooth, velvety texture. Simmer over medium heat until the sauce thickens, typically 3-5 minutes.
- Soup Integration: Merge the creamy sauce with the simmered vegetables and broth, stirring thoroughly to create a unified, luxurious soup foundation.
- Final Flavor Infusion: Add diced ham, garlic powder, thyme, salt, and pepper to the soup. Allow ingredients to meld during a final 10-minute simmer, intensifying the flavor profile and achieving a hearty consistency.
- Serving Suggestion: Ladle the steaming soup into bowls, garnish with shredded cheddar cheese and fresh parsley. Serve alongside crusty bread or crisp crackers for a complete, comforting meal.
Notes
- Prevent Potato Mushiness: Cook potatoes just until fork-tender to maintain their structural integrity and avoid turning them into a mushy texture.
- Master the Roux Technique: Continuously whisk butter and flour to prevent burning, achieving a golden color for maximum flavor development without bitterness.
- Smooth Sauce Strategy: Add milk slowly and whisk constantly to eliminate potential lumps, creating a silky, uniform sauce base.
- Ham Selection Matters: Use high-quality, lean ham with minimal fat for a cleaner taste and better overall soup texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 355 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg