Mimi's Cafe Corn Chowder w/ Ham

Ingredients:

4 Tbsp. butter
1 cup diced or cubed ham
6 Tbsp onion, chopped
3/4 cup diced celery
3/4 cup diced carrots
2 1/2 cups hot water
2 cups raw potato, peeled and cut in 1/2 inch cubes
1 quart half & half
3 cups frozen corn, thawed
2 Tbsp. sugar
2 tsp. salt
1 pinch white pepper
3 Tbsp. flour


Directions: 
On medium heat melt butter. Add onion celery and carrots and simmer until soft, but not brown (about 5 minutes). Add water, potatoes, corn, ham and seasonings. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Whisk the flour into 1 c. of the half & half and stir into soup. Add remaining 3 cups of half & half. Simmer for about 15 minutes until soup has thickened. Salt & pepper to taste.

If you want the soup thinner add a little milk. If you want it thicker simmer an extra 5-10 minutes.

*from Nancy Miller