Cheesy Mashed Potato And Ham Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

3 -4 tablespoons butter
1 medium onion, chopped
1 -2 tablespoon fresh minced garlic
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon chili powder (can use more to taste)
2 1/2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
3 1/2 - 4 cups chicken broth (or use turkey broth)
4 cups leftover mashed potatoes
2 cups chopped cooked ham (can use more)
1 1/4 cups grated cheddar cheese
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup 18% cereal cream (or use whipping cream)
1 teaspoon seasoning salt (or to taste or use white salt)
1 -2 teaspoon coarse black pepper (or to taste)
chopped green onion
grated parmesan cheese (optional) or grated cheddar cheese (optional)

Preparation

Heat butter in a large saucepan over medium heat; add in onion, garlic, thyme and chili powder; saute for about 3 minutes.
Add in sliced mushrooms and saute until tender.
Add in chicken broth and cooked ham; cook until heated through.
Mix in mashed potatoes with a wooden spoon until smooth and no lumps remain; bring soup to a simmer over medium heat.
If you find that the soup is too thick for your liking then add in more broth.
Reduce heat to low and add in cheddar cheese until melted and smooth.
Season with season salt and black pepper and add in more chili powder if desired.
Mix in sour cream and table cream until heated through (DO NOT boil!).
Ladle into bowls then sprinkle with chopped green onion and Parmesan cheese or grated cheddar cheese (if using).