Country Ham Chowder

       Country Ham Chowder
This recipe came from a free recipe card.  We enjoy this in the winter and works perfectly with leftover ham.  Nice soup recipe :)
For 4 servings you will need:
3 Tbsp. Butter
2 medium potatoes, peeled, pared, and cut into 1/2 " cubes
3/4 c. Finely chopped onion
1/4 c. Finely chopped carrot
1/4 c. Finely chopped celery
3Tbsp. Flour
2 1/2 -3c. Milk
1/4 tsp. pepper, salt optional
1 c. Finely chopped ham
1 1/2c. Grated sharp cheddar cheese
Chopped parsley for garnish
2 tsp. Dijon style mustard, opt.
**simmer potatoes in 3/4 c. Water in a covered saucepan for about 10 min. Or until potatoes are tender.  Reserve any liquid for the soup.  *Melt butter in large saucepan sauté onion, carrot, and celery until golden and soft.  Do not brown mixture.  *Stir in flour and cook for 2 min., stirring well.  *Add milk, potatoes with liquid, pepper, salt, and mustard, if used.  Bring to a simmer.  *Add ham and cheese.  Cook over low heat for 5min. **serve hot or keep warm over very low heat with lid on.  Serve with croutons if desired. ** I serve mine with the Parmesan rolls on this blog.