Comforting Delicious chicken Ham Potato Soup

Oh, hello there! Welcome to Reciqa, where I, your friendly home cook and recipe enthusiast, love to share those dishes that just feel like a warm hug. My kitchen always starts with cozy aromas and simple ingredients that somehow transform into pure magic on the table. And today, we’re diving into a bowl of pure comfort: this absolutely Delicious Ham and Potato Soup. It reminds me so much of those chilly evenings growing up, where a big pot of soup simmered away, filling the house with the most amazing smells. It’s the kind of meal that brings everyone together, and I can’t wait to share this easy, comforting recipe with you!

Why You’ll Love This Delicious Ham and Potato Soup

Seriously, this soup is a winner for so many reasons:

• It’s incredibly easy to whip up, perfect for busy weeknights!
• It’s the ultimate comfort food – creamy, hearty, and oh-so-satisfying.
• The flavor is just spot-on, with that perfect balance of savory ham and tender potatoes.
• It’s hearty enough for a main meal but simple enough for any day of the week.

Gathering Your Ingredients for Delicious Ham and Potato Soup

Alright, let’s get down to what you’ll need for this glorious pot of soup! It’s really straightforward, and the beauty of this recipe is how forgiving it is. You’ll want to have everything prepped and ready to go so we can just toss it all together. Think of it as setting up your little soup station! We’re talking about tender potatoes, savory ham, a bit of onion and celery for that flavor base, and then some magic to make it creamy. Don’t worry if your dicing isn’t perfect; it’s all going into the pot anyway! The most important thing is to have good quality ingredients, and then the rest just falls into place.

Essential Ingredients for Delicious Ham and Potato Soup

Here’s the rundown of what you’ll need to grab from the store:

• 3 ½ cups peeled and diced potatoes (about medium-sized potatoes)
• 3 ¼ cups water
• ¾ cup diced cooked ham (leftovers are perfect here!)
• ⅓ cup diced celery
• ⅓ cup finely chopped onion
• 2 tablespoons chicken bouillon granules
• 1 teaspoon ground white or black pepper (or whatever you have on hand!)
• ½ teaspoon salt (or to your taste)
• 5 tablespoons butter
• 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk

Ingredient Notes and Potential Substitutions

So, about these ingredients! The chicken bouillon granules are key for that savory depth, but if you’re keeping this strictly vegetarian, you can absolutely swap them out for vegetable bouillon. And the milk? It’s what gives us that lovely creamy texture without needing heavy cream. Whole milk gives the richest result, but you could use 2% if that’s what you have. Just a heads-up, the butter and flour together create a simple roux that thickens everything up beautifully, making it super comforting. You can add extra veggies like carrots if you like, just dice them small so they cook through!

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Delicious Ham and Potato Soup

Okay, now for the fun part – actually making this soup! It’s really as simple as 1, 2, 3, and before you know it, you’ll have a steaming bowl of deliciousness. I love how this recipe comes together so quickly, which means less time fussing in the kitchen and more time enjoying that cozy, comforting flavor. Just follow these easy steps, and you’ll see how simple it is to create a truly satisfying meal with just a few basic ingredients. Trust me, this is going to become a go-to in your kitchen, just like it is in mine!

Preparing the Base of Your Delicious Ham and Potato Soup

First things first, let’s get our soup base going. Grab a good-sized stockpot – one that can hold all those yummy ingredients. We’re going to toss in the peeled and diced potatoes, the water, our diced cooked ham (leftovers are perfect for this, by the way!), the diced celery, and the finely chopped onion. Give it all a good stir to make sure everything is nicely combined. Now, bring this mixture to a boil over medium heat. Once it’s bubbling away, turn the heat down to medium-low so it can simmer gently. We want those potatoes to get nice and tender, which usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Keep an eye on them; you want them soft enough to mash easily with a fork.

Creating the Creamy Soup Base

While those potatoes are doing their thing, we’ll make the magic creamy part of our soup in a separate saucepan. Melt the butter over medium-low heat. Once it’s all melted and looking lovely, whisk in the flour. Keep stirring and cooking this mixture for about a minute – it’ll get a little thick and pasty, which is exactly what we want. This is called making a roux, and it’s the secret to a wonderfully smooth, thick soup! Now, slowly whisk in the milk, a little at a time at first, making sure to get rid of any lumps. Continue to cook and stir this mixture gently for about 4 to 5 minutes until it thickens up nicely. You’re looking for a smooth, creamy sauce that’s coating the back of your spoon.

Combining and Finishing the Delicious Ham and Potato Soup

This is where it all comes together! Once your creamy milk mixture is thickened and your potatoes are perfectly tender in the stockpot, it’s time to join them. Carefully pour that luscious, creamy base into the stockpot with the potatoes and ham. Give everything a good stir to combine. Now, we just need to heat it all through. Let it cook gently, stirring occasionally, until the whole soup is warmed up. You don’t want it to boil again, just to get nice and hot. Taste it and add a little more salt or pepper if you think it needs it – this is your soup, after all! And there you have it – a beautiful, comforting bowl of Delicious Ham and Potato Soup, ready to be served!

Tips for Success with Delicious Ham and Potato Soup

Alright, let’s make sure this soup is absolutely perfect every time! When you’re simmering those potatoes, really make sure they’re fork-tender – that’s key for the best texture. If they’re still a bit firm, just let them simmer a few minutes longer. For the creamy part, don’t rush that roux; cooking the flour for about a minute really gets rid of that raw flour taste and helps thicken the soup beautifully. And when you add the milk mixture to the pot, stir gently and keep the heat on medium-low. We just want to warm it through, not boil it, so it stays nice and smooth. If your soup seems a little too thick for your liking, don’t be afraid to add a splash more milk or even a little water to get it just right!

Variations for Your Delicious Ham and Potato Soup

While this soup is absolutely perfect as is, I love how easy it is to tweak! If you’re feeling adventurous or just want to use up some veggies, feel free to toss in some diced carrots along with the potatoes – they add a lovely sweetness and color. A little bit of finely chopped bell pepper would be nice too! For a little extra kick, a pinch of garlic powder or a dash of smoked paprika when you add the salt and pepper can be delicious. Just remember, we’re keeping it wholesome and simple, so avoid anything too heavy or overly processed. It’s all about making this soup your own!

Serving Suggestions for Delicious Ham and Potato Soup

This hearty soup is practically a meal in itself, but it’s even better with a few friends! I love serving it with some crusty bread for dipping – maybe a nice sourdough or a warm baguette. A simple side salad with a light vinaigrette is also a fantastic contrast to the creamy soup. For an extra special touch, a sprinkle of fresh chives or parsley right before serving adds a pop of color and freshness. It’s all about making that comforting bowl of soup feel extra special!

Storing and Reheating Your Delicious Ham and Potato Soup

Got leftovers? Lucky you! This soup stores beautifully. Once it’s cooled down a bit, pop it into an airtight container and tuck it into the fridge. It should stay good for about 3 to 4 days. When you’re ready for more, just scoop some into a saucepan and reheat it gently over medium-low heat, stirring often, until it’s warmed through. If it seems a little thick, a small splash of milk or water can help loosen it up again. Easy peasy!

Frequently Asked Questions About Delicious Ham and Potato Soup

Got questions about this comforting ham and potato soup? I’ve got answers!

Q1: Can I make this soup vegetarian?
Absolutely! To make this a vegetarian ham and potato soup, just swap out the chicken bouillon granules for vegetable bouillon granules. That’s the only change you need! It’ll still be just as creamy and delicious.

Q2: What kind of potatoes work best for this ham and potato soup?
You can use most common potatoes like Yukon Gold or Russets. The key is to peel and dice them into relatively small, uniform pieces so they cook evenly. We want them nice and tender, not mushy!

Q3: My soup seems a little too thick. What can I do?
No worries at all! If your soup is thicker than you like, just stir in a little extra milk or even some water, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency. It’s easy to adjust!

Q4: Can I use fresh ham instead of leftover ham?
Yes, you can! If you’re using uncooked ham, you’ll want to cook it first until it’s browned and tender, then dice it before adding it to the soup. Using leftover cooked ham is just a bit of a shortcut!

Nutritional Information for Delicious Ham and Potato Soup

Just a friendly note from my kitchen to yours: the nutritional details for this soup are an estimate. They can really change depending on the specific brands of ingredients you use and exactly how you prepare it. Think of it as a helpful guide rather than a strict rulebook!

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