Delicious Ham and Potato Soup

INGREDIENTS
3 1/2 cups peeled and diced potatoes
1/2 cup diced celery
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
½ cup carrots chopped
1 cup corn
3/4 cup diced cooked ham
3 1/4 cups water
2 chicken bouillon cubes
1 teaspoon ground white or black pepper, or to taste
4 tablespoons butter
5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
1 cup cheese

DIRECTIONS
1 Combine the potatoes, celery, onion, carrots, ham and water in a stockpot. Bring to a boil, then cook over medium heat until potatoes are tender, about 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in the chicken bouillon, salt and pepper.
2 In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in flour with a fork, and cook, stirring constantly until thick, about 1 minute. Slowly stir in milk as not to allow lumps to form until all of the milk has been added. Continue stirring over medium-low heat until thick, 4 to 5 minutes.
3 Stir the milk mixture into the stockpot, and cook soup until heated through. Top with cheese. Serve immediately

Melting Pot Stew

1 t. oil
1 c. chopped onion
1/2 t. dried oregano
1/2 t. ground cumin
1 garlic clove
6 c.3-16 oz. cans) chicken broth
1 1/3 c. cubed, peeled baking potatoes (or sweet potatoes)
1 can garbanzo beans
2 c. corn
3/4 t. salt
1 zucchini, quartered and sliced
1 c. diced tomato
1/3 c. fresh cilantro

boil chicken broth, then cook all vegetables until soft (15 mins) in broth. add spices, boil on med for approx. 15 mins. let simmer. can serve in hollowed out pumpkin for parties, etc.

toppings: cilantro, cheese, sour cream, fresh squeezed lime, tomato

White Chicken Chili

This makes a ton, so I either freeze half or cut the recipe in half. I love it with lime flavored tortilla chips - yum!

3 cans Great Northern beans
4 c. cooked chicken breast
1 T. olive oil
2 onions
4 cloves garlic
2 4 oz. chopped green chilis
2 t. cumin
1 1/2 t. oregano
1/4 t. cayenne
6 c. chicken or vegetable stock
3 c. Monterey Jack cheese
sour cream (optional)

Saute onions in oil in large pot, approximately 10 minutes or until opaque. Stir in garlic, chilis, cumin, oregano, and cayenne, cook 2 minutes. Add beans and stock. Bring to a boil. Add chicken and cheese and serve.