Hearty Holiday Ham Bone Potato Chowder
Transform your leftover Christmas ham bone into a heartwarming potato chowder that's perfect for chilly days! This creamy soup serves as a delightful base, with robust flavors from the ham and vegetables. It's incredibly versatile; toss in a can of corn for a delightful chowder, add julienned carrots for extra nutrition, melt in Velveeta cheese for a cheesy kick, or mix in cooked broccoli and shrimp for a scrumptious twist. Each spoonful is packed with flavor, and the options are endless. Great for serving a crowd, this recipe ensures no leftover ham goes to waste while warming hearts and souls alike!
N/A
Servings
225
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Ham bone
1 (with visible meat)
Onion
1 medium (diced)
Water
4 cups (none)
Celery seeds or celery
1/2 teaspoon or 1 stalk (chopped if using celery)
White pepper
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Red potatoes
5 medium (cut into 1-inch cubes)
Butter
1/2 cup (none)
Flour
1/2 cup (none)
Half-and-half
2 cups (none)
Instructions
1
In a Dutch oven, combine the ham bone, diced onion, water, celery seeds (or chopped celery), white pepper, and black pepper. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, reduce to a simmer and cook for about 30 minutes, or until the meat easily comes off the bone with a fork.
2
Carefully shred the ham from the bone, discarding any fat. Return the shredded ham to the pot. Add the cubed red potatoes and return to a boil. Reduce the heat and let simmer until the potatoes are tender, approximately 15-20 minutes.
3
While the potatoes are cooking, prepare a creamy roux. In a separate medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat, making sure it doesn't brown. Gradually whisk in the flour to create a smooth paste.
4
Increase the heat to medium-high and slowly stir in the half-and-half, continuing to whisk constantly until the mixture is creamy, thick, and bubbly. It should coat the back of a spoon. Remove from heat once the desired consistency is achieved.
5
Once the potatoes are tender, pour the creamy mixture into the potato soup. Stir over medium heat, allowing it to blend and thicken the chowder further to your liking. Feel free to adjust the consistency by adding more milk if necessary.
6
Finally, taste the chowder and season it with salt, garlic, herbs, or more pepper according to your preference. Let it simmer for a few extra minutes to meld the flavors together.
Nutrition Information
10g
Fat
25g
Carbs
8.75g
Protein
1.5g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Holiday Ham Bone Potato Chowder?
It is a creamy, heartwarming soup made by transforming a leftover Christmas ham bone into a rich base with potatoes and vegetables.
How many ingredients are required for this recipe?
There are 10 main ingredients including a ham bone, onion, water, celery seeds, peppers, red potatoes, butter, flour, and half-and-half.
What are the nutrition facts per serving?
Each serving contains 225 calories, 10g of fat, 25g of carbohydrates, 8.75g of protein, and 1.5g of fiber.
How long does it take to prepare the ham bone base?
The ham bone, onion, and spices should simmer in water for about 30 minutes until the meat easily comes off the bone.
What type of potatoes should I use?
The recipe specifies using 5 medium red potatoes cut into 1-inch cubes.
How long should the potatoes cook in the soup?
The potatoes should simmer in the pot for approximately 15 to 20 minutes until they are tender.
How is the creamy roux prepared?
Melt 1/2 cup of butter, whisk in 1/2 cup of flour to create a paste, and then slowly stir in 2 cups of half-and-half until thick and bubbly.
Can I add corn to this chowder?
Yes, adding a can of corn is a recommended variation for making a delightful corn and potato chowder.
What is a good way to add a cheesy flavor?
You can melt in Velveeta cheese for a cheesy kick to the chowder.
Can I use celery stalks instead of celery seeds?
Yes, you can substitute 1/2 teaspoon of celery seeds with 1 stalk of chopped celery.
Is there a way to add extra nutrition to the soup?
Adding julienned carrots or cooked broccoli are great ways to increase the nutritional value of the meal.
Can seafood be added to this ham chowder?
Yes, mixing in cooked shrimp is a suggested variation for a scrumptious twist.
What should I do with the ham bone once it is finished simmering?
Shred the meat from the bone to return to the pot and discard the bone and any excess fat.
What is the recommended cooking vessel for this recipe?
A Dutch oven is recommended for the main soup and a medium saucepan for the creamy roux.
How do I adjust the consistency if the chowder is too thick?
You can adjust the consistency by adding more milk as needed until it reaches your liking.
What spices are used for seasoning?
The recipe uses white pepper and ground black pepper, with options to add salt, garlic, or other herbs at the end.
Should the butter be browned when making the roux?
No, you should melt the butter over medium heat making sure it does not brown before adding the flour.
How do I know the creamy mixture is thick enough?
The mixture should be creamy, thick, bubbly, and able to coat the back of a spoon.
Is this recipe suitable for using holiday leftovers?
Yes, it is specifically designed to ensure no leftover Christmas ham bone goes to waste.
How much water is needed to start the broth?
The recipe requires 4 cups of water to be combined with the ham bone and onion.
What kind of onion should be used?
The recipe calls for 1 medium onion, diced.
What is the protein content of the soup?
There are 8.75 grams of protein per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in each serving?
There are 25 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
Does this recipe include any fiber?
Yes, it contains 1.5 grams of fiber per serving.
Can I add garlic to the recipe?
Yes, you can taste the chowder at the end and season it with garlic to your preference.
What is the total fat content?
The recipe contains 10 grams of fat per serving.
How much half-and-half is used?
The recipe uses 2 cups of half-and-half to create the creamy base.
Is this a good recipe for a crowd?
Yes, the recipe description states it is great for serving a crowd and warming hearts.
What is the final step in the cooking process?
The final step is to let the soup simmer for a few extra minutes after seasoning to allow the flavors to meld together.
Can I use white pepper and black pepper together?
Yes, the recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of both white pepper and ground black pepper.