dinner last night

This one also came from my mom.

Potato and Ham Chowder

3 Tbsp. butter
1 pound red potatoes (or whatever kind you have)cut in ½ in chunks(about 3 cups)
1 cup chopped onions
½ cup diced celery ( I use ¾ cup)
4 cups milk
1 cup cream
3 tbsp. flour
2 cups cooked ham diced
1 cup corn (optional)
¼ tsp. pepper
2Tbsp. olive oil

Step 1
Melt butter in 3 quart pot over medium heat. Stir in potatoes, onions, and celery. Cover and cook 10-12 min. stirring occasionally until potatoes almost tender. Heat olive oil in a small fry pan then add ham and stir constantly until slightly browned. Deglaze pan with a couple Tbsp. of milk keeping drippings in pan with ham.

Step 2
Whisk ½ cup of milk with the flour until smooth. Stir into potato mixture along with the remaining milk and cream. Add ham and dripping from the pan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring often. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 5 min. or until thickened, stirring often. Add corn and pepper and simmer 5 min. longer until corn is tender.

Served with homemade french bread and a salad.