spiral ham & potato chowder (soup)

Ingredients

• 3-4 cups meat from a spiral-cut ham, chunked
• 8 - medium yukon potatoes, cut into bite-sized chunks
• 1/2 - large yellow sweet onion, chopped
• 6 cups water *
• 2 cups whole milk *
• - * you can use more water & milk, but keep it at a 3 to 1 ratio (1 cup milk for each 3 cups water)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• - parsley flakes
• - salt
• - pepper
• 3 tablespoons butter (use the real stuff)
• 1 can whole kernel corn, drained
• 1 can creamed corn
• 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded (optional)
• 2 cups broccoli florets (optional)
• FOR THICKENING:
• - choose one method - your preference, then add to soup while simmering
• - - ladle out a couple of scoops of potato pieces, mash them up & add back to the chowder, leaving the rest as chunks (my 1st choice), or
• - - make a simple roux from butter & flour, or
• - - use cornstarch & water