Potato and Ham Soup

I found this recipe on allrecipes.com and tried it today....delicious!  My kids (who don't love potatoes) loved it too.  It reminded me alot of the creamy new potato soup at Cafe Express, but had more flavor.

Ingredients

3 1/2 cups peeled and diced potatoes (I used new potatoes and left peel on)
1/3 cup diced celery
1/3 cup finely chopped onion
3/4 cup diced cooked ham
3 1/4 cups water
2 tablespoons chicken bouillon granules
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1 teaspoon ground white or black pepper, or to taste
5 tablespoons butter
5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups milk (I used 2%)

Directions

Combine the potatoes, celery, onion, ham and water in a stockpot. Bring to a boil, then cook over medium heat until potatoes are tender, about 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in the chicken bouillon, salt and pepper.
In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in flour with a fork, and cook, stirring constantly until thick, about 1 minute. Slowly stir in milk as not to allow lumps to form until all of the milk has been added. Continue stirring over medium-low heat until thick, 4 to 5 minutes.
Stir the milk mixture into the stockpot, and cook soup until heated through. Serve immediately.  (I topped each bowl with grated cheese)

**It would be easy to add carrots or green beans for a little more nutrition.

**I will probably try it next time without the ham (although it was great this way!) and top it with crumbled bacon, green onions and cheese just to change it up.