Winter

Sunday, January 15, 2012


Depending on whether or not you like cold weather and snow, this has either been a great winter in Toronto or a terrible one.  Personally, I’m not a big fan of winter.  Bone-numbing temperatures and slippery sidewalks are something I’d gladly do without.  So I’ve really been enjoying the mild weather over the past couple of months.

This week, a sudden drop in temperature and a snowfall meant that it felt like winter again.  And with spring three months away, it’s time for me to start thinking about the things I do love about this time of year:

1.  There’s nothing more beautiful than a fresh snowfall.   Even if you’re the one who has to shovel it.
2.  No pesky mosquitoes to swat away or sunscreen to get in your eyes.
3.  Ezra Pound’s excellent parody of the 13th century poem “Sumer is icumen in”.
4.  Cold weather is soup weather.

This potato, ham and cheddar soup was made for winter.  It’s filling enough to be a meal on its own, and delicious enough to make you want seconds.  And it will give you the energy you need for shovelling that driveway.



Potato, Cheddar and Ham Soup
(Adapted from: http://www.dairygoodness.ca/recipes/potato-cheddar-ham-soup-with-chive-yogurt)

3 Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced
2 Tbsp unsalted butter
1 onion, diced
1 stalk celery, diced

1 carrot, diced

2 cups chicken broth 

1 cup water

2 bay leaves

Salt and pepper

1 Tbsp all-purpose flour

1 cup milk

1 cup cheddar cheese
, diced or shredded
1 cup cubed lean Black Forest ham
1/3 cup sour cream 
(optional)
1 Tbsp chopped chives
 (optional)

In the bottom of a large pot, melt butter over medium high heat.  Add onion, celery and carrot, and stir until softened.  Pour in chicken broth, water and bay leaves, and bring just to a gentle boil.  Add potatoes and cover, cooking until potatoes are just tender, about 10 minutes.

Remove and discard bay leaves.  In a measuring cup, stir together flour and milk until no lumps remain, and add to soup.  Cover and stir occasionally until slightly thickened (about 5 minutes).

Add cheese and ham, reduce heat and simmer until heated through (3 to 5 minutes).

If desired, combine sour cream and chives.  Ladle soup into bowls and serve with a dollop of sour cream mixture.

53 comments:

Ruth said...

I love making soups - I am TOTALLY going to make this!

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

This soup looks very inviting to me. I love potato soup! We are having a very unusual winter. Hardly any snow and mild temps (although the past few days have been in the 20's) Two years ago we had record snow (78-inches). This soup would be enjoyable whatever the weather!

Joanne said...

It's perfect soup weather here in New England today, with the wind chill bringing temps below 0! That soup looks delish :)

Aldy said...

What a wonderful recipe, Beth! Irresistible flavors :) Have a great week ahead :)

Carol said...

Your soup looks amazing! Saving this, hope to get to it very soon. Nice and hearty, perfect for the weather we are having now.

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

I made lentil soup tonight....and I'm certain my hubby is wishing I made a potato, cheddar and ham soup instead! Yours looks wonderful!

Anonymous said...

I love the sour cream and chives!

Justine L said...

I just made soup, too. This looks delicious ... my boys love ham, and I love cheddar. :)

I will have to go look for that poem!

Sarah said...

It dumped snow on Seattle today- which I loved! Perfect soup weather if you ask me. Love how hearty and comfortable this recipe looks!

Aarthi said...

Delicious..Awesome Recipe

Aarthi
http://yummytummy-aarthi.blogspot.com/

Cindy said...

Snow is in our forecast tomorrow. This looks like the perfect meal. Thanks.

Miriam said...

I LOVE potato soup!! I love the snow, we need more of it where I am this winter...and more soup too :), Miriam@Meatless Meals For Meat Eaters

Anonymous said...

On some winter days I am convinced that I will never be warm again. Hot potato soup is my favorite on those cold days!

Anonymous said...

I don't eat meat, but I've had potato and cheese soup and it's delicious.

Have a great week.

Neesie said...

I'll have to put this one on hold for now Beth...we had a temperature of around 33 degrees celcius here today, so soups not on the menu.
It does look delicious though and one for my list for in the future.
Keep cosy :D

Chiara "Kika" Assi said...

Potato soups are awesome in the winter... will have to try this one!

Sprigs of Rosemary said...

Okay, so I 'll keep remembering "no mosquitoes." With soups like this, winter is much more tolerable, even if it is a pretty mild one (so far).

Joanne said...

Soup is really the only thing I like about winter weather. I could do without snow (it all becomes gross slush in NYC anyway) and I don't mind sunscreen so much. But soup...soup I LOVE. This sounds fabulous and so comforting!

Anonymous said...

I love soup regardless of the year. And that looks awesomely delicious. I'm printing the recipe and will make it in Wednesday. Thanks!

Elaine said...

We have had a mild winter this year although our winters are not bad here, but we have had freezing temperatures at night and a winter storm is supposed to move in this week with some much needed rain. This looks like a perfect hearty and delicious soup. I am bookmarking it to try later.

Barbara said...

Lovely soup recipe, Beth. We've had a little cold snap here too...Florida doesn't handle cold weather very well. No insulation. Soups are definitely the answer!

Bonnie said...

Beth, Our winter has been extremely mild. Today's temperature is expected to hit 60. It scares me! I can't imagine having a hotter summer than the last. I long for soup and chili weather. Hugs!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Nice soup. I rarely add cheese to my soup (except for French Onion Soup), and I don't know why. It's such a great ingredient. Love the top photo, by the way. Like the garnish, and the colors are really nice.

Anonymous said...

I like your list of why winter is a-okay. I'm not a winter fain either but I sure do love warm soup!

Unknown said...

I am not a fan of being cold but I do like many things about Winter especially a bowl of soup like this one!

Katerina said...

It is freezing outside with temperatures below zero, very unusual for this part of the world. This soup is definitely made for this weather! I wish I had a bowl!

Ashlea Taylor said...

What a cozy winter soup. I have to admit that our weather went back up to the 70's today in Texas, but I will keep this recipe on hand when it drops again!

Rita said...

There is nothing more beautiful than this lovely bowl of soup when it is freezing cold. We have been -25 for a few days. Your soup is so inviting.
Rita

Belinda said...

I love cold...when there is snow!! This soup looks so creamy and delicious.

Stina said...

Perfect timing. Now only is it freezing in Calgary (-36 this morning with wind chill). We have a lot of left over ham. :D

Kristen said...

I love Cheddar and ham in any form, be it a sandwich, casserole or soup. This is just perfect...though our Florida winter weather would make you laugh.

Simply Life said...

I agree...snowfall is beautiful when I can see it from the warm indoors :)

Anonymous said...

That you are A Fan of musicals is no surprise. ;)

I've been adoring the mild winter weather but trying to plan weather-appropriate dinners has been a bit of a struggle since it has been all over the place. Thankfully we have some soup stashed in the freezer now for the cold days.

Becki's Whole Life said...

It's nice to remind ourselves that there are things to appreciate in the midst of winter. I grew up in Buffalo and I agree a new snowfall is a beautiful thing. However, generally, I don't miss the snow. Your soup sounds wonderful and definitely very comforting.

Anonymous said...

That's perfect for my weather right about now... we're supposed to get 15 inches in the next couple days -- to a place that normally gets less than 2!

Anna said...

Soup is one of my main reasons for loving winter - my family is not so fond of it in the middle of summer :) This looks perfect...and you probably would've been a little sad if you never got some "real" winter!

Asmita said...

This soup looks so amazing. Warm and comforting, perfect for the winter!

MTeacress said...

*mouth watering* and now I will copy and paste. That looks like the ultimate comfort food. Thanks, Beth. :)

Jeanne said...

I do miss the snow, but I don't really miss shoveling the driveway! ;) We've had a mild winter so far, but this morning was very chilly! I could use some soup for sure. Looks great!

shaz said...

I am definitely not a fan of the cold but I've never lived anywhere where it snows, so maybe I'd change my mind because it sounds beautiful. Hope you manage to keep nice and warm, the yummy looking soup certainly sounds like it does the trick.

Golden Eagle said...

I love fresh snowfall, too. :)

Julie said...

Delicious! We've had a cold snap here this week, so it would be perfect for a cold winter night's dinner.

Janet Johnson said...

Yum . . . potatoes, ham, and cheddar were just meant to go together I think. I will have to try this!

Monet said...

It has been unseasonably warm here in Austin, and I'm wishing we would cool off! This looks so good...a very satisfying meal. Thank you for sharing!

grace said...

untouched snow IS lovely...until it's driven, stomped, or peed in. :)
this is an incredible soup, beth--it's alluring enough to make me brave a snowstorm to eat. :)

Charlie N. Holmberg said...

That looks very, very good...

Claudia said...

I'm not a fan of winter - do appreciate it's stark beauty. Personally, I am pretty happy this winter (as are the birds and the deer). But the cold is here - and the soup is perfect! Wholesome and so satisfying.

nancy at good food matters said...

winter isn't my favorite either--as much as I dislike bitter cold, it's the lack of light that gets to me. but, days are growing longer, and hearty soups like yours taste especially grand in drab January.

Rambling Tart said...

I love a first snowfall too!! A dear friend sent me a photo of theirs from back home and it cheered me enormously as I swelter in this lovely Australian summer. :-) That soup looks wonderfully hearty. :-)

julie said...

Such a hearty and delicious combination of flavors in this soup. I could certainly eat a bowl of this and be ready to tackle another day of winter.

Mary said...

This soup sounds truly delicious. I haven't made a ham and cheese yet this year. Thanks for the reminder!

Anonymous said...

What a comforting and perfect soup for winter!

Lynne Daley said...

Comfort food at its best! We don't get much snow here in Georgia, but I do remember shoveling snow when we lived in Illinois. Not a fan of winter either! Thanks for the soup recipe. I love the Black Forest ham in it!

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