Country Ham Chowder - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 medium potatoes, cut into 1/2 - inch cubes
3 tablespoons butter or 3 tablespoons margarine
3/4 cup finely chopped onion
1/4 cup finely chopped carrot
1/4 cup finely chopped celery
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 1/2 - 3 cups milk
1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper (optional)
2 teaspoons dijon-style mustard (I usually leave this out ) (optional)
1 cup finely chopped ham (i add extra ham )
1 1/2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese (you can use medium cheddar instead)

Preparation

Simmer potatoes in 3/4 cup of water in a covered saucepan for about 10 minutes or until tender. Teserve any liquid for soup.
Melt butter in a large saucepan. Saute onion carrot and celery until golden and soft. Do not brown.
Stir in flour and cook for 2 minutes, stirring well.
Add milk potatoes with liquid, pepper salt and mustard if used. bring to a simmer.
Add ham and cheese. Cook over low heat for 5 minutes.
Serve hot or keep warm over very low heat with lid until ready to serve.