CHUNKY POTATO SOUP

CHUNKY POTATO SOUP

red potatoes
2 cups water
1 small onion
3 Tbsp. butter
3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
crushed red pepper flakes
ground black pepper
3 cups milk
½ tsp. sugar
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup cubed cooked ham

Peel potatoes and cut into 1-inch cubed.

Bring water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add potatoes and cook until tender. Drain, reserving liquid. Set aside potatoes. Measure 1 cup cooking liquid, adding water if necessary, set aside.

Peel and finely chop onion. Melt butter in saucepan over medium heat. Add onion to saucepan; cook, stirring frequently, until onion is translucent and tender, but not brown.

Add flour to saucepan; season with pepper flakes and black pepper to taste. Cook 3-4 minutes.
Gradually add potatoes, reserved 1 cup cooking liquid, milk and sugar to onion mixture in saucepan; stir well. Add cheese and ham. Simmer over low heat 30 minutes, stirring frequently. Store leftovers, covered, in refrigerator.

Yield: 12 servings.