Smokey Ham and Potato Soup

It is starting to get colder here in Idaho, but not too cold. Trust me, it will get too cold. But right now I am relishing in the evenings where it is cold enough to eat soup, but warm enough to eat dinner outside on our front porch with neighbors.

This soup, right here, is perfect for early fall evenings, and probably any other time of the year to be honest. Side note: hot soups should never be eaten during the summer time. Just a thought.

This soup is warm, it's cozy, not to mention that it is smokey and savory. It's absolutely worth making.

P.S. It is also very easy to make (a huge plus in my book).

Smokey Ham and Potato Soup

Ingredients

• 4 medium potatoes, diced
• 1 medium onion, diced (about one cup)
• 10 baby carrots, sliced
• 4 cups homemade or storebought broth (beef, chicken, or vegetable broth will do)
• 1 cup 1% milk
• 1/2 cup light sour cream
• 1 tablespoon liquid smoke
• 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
• 1 pound fully-cooked smoke flavored ham, diced
• salt* and pepper to taste

Cooking Directions

1. Combine potatoes, onions, carrots, and broth in crock pot. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, or until potatoes are very soft.
2. Once potatoes are soft, stick an immersion blender in your crock pot and blend the soup up until about half of it is pureed, but there are still plenty of veggie chunks. If you don't have an immersion blender you can remove half of the potato mixture into a stand blender and puree it there. Then add it back to your crock pot.
3. Add remaining ingredients to crock pot. Stir to combine. Cover and cook on low for 30 more minutes or until heated through.
4. Serve with rolls and a large green salad.

*The amount of salt you use will largely depend on the salt content of your ham and your broth.

Recipe adapted by Amanda Jenks (originally from Weight Watchers Recipes)

Yield: 12 servings

Calories per serving: 132
Fat per serving: 2 grams

I promise that you are going to love curling up with a warm bowl of this soup in the coming fall and winter months. Enjoy!