Mashed Potato Soup

This is my mom’s recipe, which I have changed just a bit to suit my tastes(she used chopped ham steak). I always make a pot after we have baked ham, using the ham bone that is leftover. The taste of the ham cooks right into the potatoes and the water, making the soup VERY flavorful. It is extremely thick—more a stew, really—and very hearty. So good on a cold evening.

• Ready In: 2 hrs 30 mins
• Serves: 12

Ingredients

• 8  large potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes
• 4  carrots, peeled and chopped
• 1  onion, chopped
• 1  ham bone (one with a lot of meat)
• 1  quart milk
• 1⁄2 cup margarine
•  salt
•  pepper
•  garlic powder

Directions

1. Place potatoes and ham bone in a large pot and cover with water.
2. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for about ½ hour (water should be reduced by at least 1/4).
3. Dump out about 1/3 of the remaining water and remove the ham bone.
4. With a potato masher, mash about ½ the potatoes.
5. Add remaining ingredients to the pot.
6. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic to taste.
7. While the soup returns to a boil, cut the meat off the bone.
8. Put meat and bone back into pot.
9. Cover and simmer until carrots and onions are tender, stirring every few minutes (the potatoes that have been mashed will settle and burn to the bottom if not stirred frequently).
10. Remove the bone before serving.
11. *Note: This soup is also excellent if you add cheese about 10 minutes before serving. I especially like it with Old English or Smokey Cheddar.