Mom’s Musings

CHEDDAR CHOWDER

2 cups water
2 cups diced potatoes
1/2 cup diced carrots
1/2 cup diced celery
1/4 cup chopped onion
2 cups fresh broccoli
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

White sauce:
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup flour
2 cups milk
2 cups cheddar cheese, grated
1 cup cubed ham

• Combine water, potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, salt and pepper in large kettle. Boil 10 minutes, then add the broccoli, and continue simmering while you prepare the white sauce.
• To make white sauce, melt the butter in a skillet. Add flour and stir until smooth (about 1 minute). Slowly add milk; cook until thickened. Add grated cheese to white sauce; stir until melted.
• Turn off the heat under the soup, and mash the vegetables if desired. Also, you may add 1 teaspoon curry powder or some other seasoning to the soup, for variety. Add white sauce and cubed ham to the vegetable soup mixture.

Yield: 6 servings

This recipe is from A Taste of the Country, from Country Store, Code #3018, Box 572, Milwaukee, WI 53201)