Shelly's Recipe

HEARTY HAM CHOWDER

Category: Chowders

2 cups water
2 medium (2 cups) potatoes, peeled and coarsely chopped
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 tsp dried basil, crushed
1 tsp instant chicken bouillon granules
1/4 tsp pepper
3 cups fresh or frozen chopped broccoli, thawed
2 cups chopped fully cooked ham
2 cups light cream or half-and-half
1 tbsp butter
Grated Parmesan cheese

In a large saucepan, combine water, potatoes, onion, basil, chicken bouillon granules and pepper. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes, or until potatoes are tender.

Remove mixture from heat. Do not drain. Using a potato masher or fork, mash potatoes in saucepan. Stir in broccoli; return to boiling. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 8 to 10 minutes, or until broccoli is just tender. Stir in chopped ham, light cream or half-and-half, and butter. Cook and stir until heated through. To serve, ladle into soup bowls. Sprinkle each serving with Parmesan cheese. Serves 4