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Absolutely! Let’s make this Old-Fashioned Ham and Potato Soup a full, hearty experience. Here’s your big, detailed recipe with all the extras you asked for:

🍲 Old-Fashioned Ham and Potato Soup

Introduction

There’s something comforting about a bowl of soup that feels like home. Old-Fashioned Ham and Potato Soup is a creamy, savory dish packed with tender potatoes, smoky ham, and subtle herbs. Perfect for chilly evenings, family gatherings, or anytime you crave a bowl of pure warmth. This soup has been a staple in American kitchens for generations, often made with leftover ham from Sunday dinners. Its simplicity is its charm—every spoonful is creamy, hearty, and deeply satisfying.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 large carrots, diced
  • 2-3 celery stalks, diced
  • 4 cups diced potatoes (Yukon Gold or Russet)
  • 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 2 cups diced cooked ham (preferably smoked)
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 cup heavy cream or whole milk
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (optional, for thicker soup)
  • Fresh parsley or chives for garnish

Instructions & Methods

Step 1: Sauté the aromatics

In a large soup pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add onions, garlic, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened and fragrant. This step builds the base flavor of the soup.

Step 2: Add potatoes, ham, and broth

Stir in the diced potatoes and ham. Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth. Add thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer gently for 20-25 minutes, or until potatoes are tender.

Step 3: Optional thickening

If you prefer a thicker soup, mix flour with a small amount of cream to make a smooth slurry and stir it into the soup. Let it simmer for another 5 minutes until slightly thickened.

Step 4: Add cream and final seasoning

Stir in the heavy cream or milk. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Remove bay leaf.

Step 5: Garnish and serve

Ladle the soup into bowls and sprinkle with fresh parsley or chives. Serve hot with crusty bread or crackers.

History & Formation

Ham and potato soup has roots in European peasant cooking, where nothing went to waste. Leftover ham and root vegetables like potatoes and carrots became the foundation of this creamy, hearty soup. As settlers moved to America, this soup evolved into a comforting family staple, often cooked in large batches to feed multiple generations. Its creamy texture and smoky ham flavor have made it an enduring classic.

Conclusion

Old-Fashioned Ham and Potato Soup isn’t just food—it’s nostalgia in a bowl. Creamy, smoky, and wholesome, it’s the ultimate comfort meal. Perfect for weeknight dinners or to serve to a crowd, it warms both the body and the soul.

Lovers of This Soup Will Appreciate:

  • How smoky ham elevates simple potatoes into something extraordinary.
  • Its creamy, velvety texture without being heavy.
  • The ease of turning leftovers into a family-favorite dish.

Methods for Lovers of Cooking:

  • Slow-simmer method: Let the soup simmer for 40 minutes for richer, melded flavors.
  • Blended method: Blend half the soup for a creamy texture while leaving chunks for bite.
  • Smoky enhancement: Roast the ham bones with vegetables before simmering to intensify flavor.

This is the kind of soup that hugs your stomach and heart at the same time. 🥣❤️

If you want, I can also give you a “loaded comfort” version with cheese, bacon, and green onions that takes it to a next-level indulgence.

Do you want me to do that?

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