Potato Soup

It is a perfectly crappy weather day in Vegas today. Windy and cold, despite the clear sky and bright sun outside. I HATE wind! On days like this I like comfort food - and potato soup is one of my favorites. It's soooo good, I wanted to share the recipe. I've added any changes I make in parentheses.

ingredients
3 medium red potatoes
2 cups water
1 small onion (I use sweet white onions)
3 tablespoons butter (I use a light margarine)
3 tablespoons flour
Crushed red pepper flakes (I use Mrs. Dash table blend)
Ground black pepper
3 cups milk (I use 1% milk)
1/2 teaspoon sugar (I use sugar substitute)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (I've tried low fat/fat free cheese, it's not as good)
1 cup cubed cooked ham (I leave the ham out, don't like ham in soup)

to do
1. Peel potatoes and cut into 1-inch cubes (I don't peel them, I like the skin)

2. Bring water to a boil in large saucepan. Add potatoes and cook until tender. Drain, reserving 1 cup. Set aside potatoes.

3. Peel and finely chop onion. Melt butter in saucepan over medium heat. Add onion to saucepan; cook, stirring frequently, until onion is translucent and tender, but not brown.

4. Add flour to saucepan; season with pepper flakes and black pepper to taste. Cook 3 to 4 minutes.

5. Gradually add potatoes, reserved 1 cup cooking liquid, milk and sugar to onion mixture in saucepan; stir well. Add cheese and ham. Simmer over low heat 30 minutes, stirring frequently. Store leftovers covered in refrigerator.

The recipe says it serves 12, and it would if you have other courses with it. The most I've added with this is sourdough bread. I was surprised to find out how low in calories sourdough actually is, considering how rich a flavor it has.

If anyone makes it, you have to tell me how it goes!