Soup Recipe: Sweet Potato and Ham Soup

by Jesica H. on January 18th, 2013 | No Comments »

This time of year, I am always looking for great comfort foods, especially when the weather dips below freezing. I want to have a nice hearty meal that will fill me up and make me feel warm inside. A great soup is the perfect solution!

Not only do I like comfort food this time of year, but I have also been in search of a good way to use up the leftover ham from our Christmas party. I wanted provide a great tasting meal for our family that would be really easy to make and freeze, plus I had a bunch of sweet potatoes to use up because I ended up not making them for our Christmas dinner.

I have a great Sweet Potato and Ham soup that should do the trick!

sweet potato and ham soup

Sweet Potato and Ham Soup Recipe

Ingredients:

1 ham bone, with visible meat
1 medium onion, diced
4 cups water
1 handful soup base (or some chopped celery and carrots)
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
5-6 medium sweet potatoes, cut in 1 inch cubes
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup flour
2 cups half-and-half or milk

Directions:

Place the ham bone, onion, water, soup base, and black pepper in a large pot. Bring to a boil over medium heat, and simmer for 30 minutes or until meat easily comes off the bone with a fork.
Remove the ham from the pot and shred the meat from the bone. Discard any fat, and return the meat to the pot.
Add diced potatoes to the pot, bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until the potatoes are tender.
While the potatoes are cooking, in a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat being careful not to brown. Add flour, stirring constantly until incorporated well.
Bring heat to medium/high and gradually stir in the milk until creamy, thick and bubbly. Be sure to stir constantly so as not to scorch. Once it thickly coats the spoon, remove from heat.
When the potatoes are tender, slowly stir the sauce mixture into the potato pot over medium heat, stirring constantly.
Let simmer until soup reaches the desired consistency. You can add milk to adjust if it seems too thick.
There has been no seasoning other than pepper added to this point. You may add salt, garlic, herbs, or other seasonings to your taste.

Cook's Notes:

Soup base is a mixture of dried vegetables ready to toss in as a soup starter. I find mine at a local Amish grocery store. However, I'm sure they can be found in any grocery or whole food store.

sweet potato soup flakes

What is your favorite kind of soup for cold weather days?

Jesica is a working mom of two who is always keeping herself busy with some kind of project. She is a blogger, teacher, administrative professional, and runs her own business. When not working, or doing fun activities with her family, Jesica enjoys reading, cooking, or just relaxing with a good movie!

Jesica owns The Mommy Bunch, where she blogs about parenting, recipes, and product reviews. Feel free to drop by and read her full bio on her blog, and meet The Mommy Bunch! Jesica also owns the blog my-pinspirations, where she showcases projects inspired by Pinterest!