Budget-Friendly Meals: Hearty Cheddar Cheese, Ham, and Potato Soup

I just love a meal that's as good to your tastebuds as it is to your wallet.  This is definitely one of those meals.  It is hearty, filling, and delicious!  Made with creamy cheese, delicious smoked ham, and potato chunks, this meal is sure to please your family.





Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup safflower oil
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 6 ounces medium cheddar cheese
• 2 medium sized potatoes 
• 8 ounces cubes of smoked ham (you can either cube it yourself or buy it cubed)
• 2 cups milk
• 2 cups water
• 2 teaspoons tumeric
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon chili powder

Steps:


In a large sauce pan, combine the oil, flour, tumeric, sea salt, onion powder, and chili powder.

Stir together over medium heat for a couple of minutes until bubbly and fragrant.

Once it looks like this, quickly add a couple of tablespoons of milk, and stir until it thickens.

Add the remainder of the milk, water, and cheese.  Reduce the heat to medium-low.

Using a wisk, stir occasionally until smooth.

While the cheese is melting, prepare the potatoes.

Dice the potatoes into bite sized pieces.

Soften the potatoes a bit by placing them in a microwavable dish (like a casserole dish, or pyrex bowl) and cover the potatoes with water.  Microwave for 6-7 minutes or until tender.

When the cheese and milk mixture is smooth, add the potatoes, and the ham.

Cover the soup, and allow to simmer for 20 minutes.

Serve your delicious and satisfying soup with crackers or warm crusty bread!