Potato, Ham, Onion, & Chipotle Soup

Rita~'s Note:

This creamy, chunky, cheesy, smoky, spicy soup will warm up anyone on a cold night! Total Comfort food! "Will soothe any soul"! I used roasted garlic but fresh will be great too. Take note I used no salt because I found the ham did it job. You're welcome to season as you wish.

• Total Time: 45 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 10

• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 meaty smoked ham bone
• 2 cups diced onions
• 1/2 cup diced celery
• 1/2 cup diced bell pepper
• 2 teaspoons roasted garlic or 3 minced fresh garlic cloves
• 4 cups diced potatoes
• 1/2 tablespoon adobo sauce
• 1 chipotle chile in adobo, seeded and diced
• 2 cups water
• 2 cups low-fat milk
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Garnish

• diced ham, from bone
• fresh parsley
• shredded cheese

Directions:

1. In a large heavy bottom pot, heat oil add bone,onions,celery, and pepper sautee 5 minutes.
2. Add garlic,potatoes, sauce,chipotle,water and milk bring to boil then lower heat to simmer, cover and cook for 20 minutes till potatoes are tender.
3. Remove ham and cool when cool enough to handle dice meat set aside.
4. Remove 1-2 cups soup and place in blender with flour and blend till smooth. Return to pot with the cheese. Cook 5 minute and stir till melted.
5. Garnish with diced ham, parsley and or cheese. Top with a few grinds of fresh pepper.

Reviews

[Chef #537310]

This is absolutely wonderful! I also added a Mexican cheese blend of shredded cheese.

[Pellerin]

*6* stars....easily! (I've never wanted to rate something higher than 5 before, but this turned out to be a *spectacularly good* soup. Had my butcher halve an excellent smoked ham shank, added a diced carrot, used 2 chipotle chiles (seeded - NO sauce. Browned flour in with veggies, and didn't bother to blend - like the texture. Most importantly, used 1/2 sharp cheddar and 1/2 *smoked* gruyere cheese. Oh my....! UNreal. THANKS!

[Ellen E]

Wonderful soup. This one is a keeper.It smelt great and I was so hungry that I forgot to add the cheese. The next time I had it with a tex mex cheese with jalopenos and I think it was actually better without it. There is enough flavour already and adding the cheese made it too salty and of course added fat and calories. If it doesn't really add anything to the taste, why add the cheese?