Lifestyle

Hearty Ham and Potato Soup

Another great way to use leftover holiday ham is to make soup with it. Ham and potato soup is a classic comfort food that’s perfect for a chilly day. Adding vegetables like carrots, celery, and peas will make it even more hearty and nutritious.

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 6 cups vegetable broth
  • 4 cups water
  • 2 cups diced potatoes
  • 2 cups chopped cooked ham
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Sauté the vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
  2. Add broth and water: Stir in vegetable broth, water, thyme, and black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer.
  3. Add potatoes and ham: Add diced potatoes and chopped ham to the pot. Simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until potatoes are tender.
  4. Add peas and cream: Stir in frozen peas and heavy cream (if using). Simmer for 5 more minutes.
  5. Serve: Serve hot with a sprinkle of fresh parsley.

You can add heavy cream to the Ham and Potato Soup for a richer and creamier flavor. Simply stir in 1/2 cup of heavy cream to the pot after the potatoes and ham have cooked. Let it simmer for a few more minutes until the soup is heated through.

Enjoy this comforting and satisfying soup with some crackers or a crusty loaf of French bread!

Laura lookingjoligood.wordpress.com
Delicious Recipes

Sweet Potato Casserole

I am sharing this recipe again this year because it is my favorite holiday side dish. I just finished preparing it for our dinner tomorrow and I cannot wait to eat it along with the other delicious thing we will be having for Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow.

Ingredients

Sweet potato casserole | lookingjoligood.blog
  • 4 cups sweet potato, cubed*
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 4 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Put sweet potatoes in a medium saucepan with water to cover. Cook over medium-high heat until tender; drain and mash. (or use canned yams and skip this step altogether.)
  2. In a large bowl, mix together the sweet potatoes, white sugar, eggs, cinnamon, salt, butter, milk and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth. Transfer to a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  3. In a medium bowl, mix the brown sugar and flour. Cut in the butter until the mixture is coarse. Stir in the pecans. Sprinkle the mixture over the sweet potato mixture.
  4. Bake in the preheated oven 30 minutes, or until the topping is lightly brown.

*If you’re using fresh sweet potatoes, you’ll need four to six sweet potatoes to get four cups, depending on their size. One 15-ounce can of sweet potatoes is equal to one cup of fresh sweet potatoes. 

If you try it, please let me know!  I have a feeling that you will love it too!

Laura lookingjoligood.wordpress.com