Cheddar Chowder

Ingredients

4 cups chicken broth
2 cups water
6 cups diced potatoes
1 1/2 cups diced carrots
1 1/2 cups diced celery
3/4 cup chopped onions
salt & pepper to taste
3/4 cup butter
3/4 cup flour
6 cups milk
6 cups cheddar (or more)
3 cups ham (can be more)



Instructions
- put all veggies in pot and cover with water and broth
- cook until tender
- puree liquid and veggies together with an immersion blender

In a separate pot:
- melt butter
- whisk in flour, milk, cheddar; continue stirring until cheese is fully melted and the sauce is homogeneous.
- pour milk mixture into veggie pot
- add ham

Alternate:  Omit ham.  Top soup with a dollop of  sour cream and sprinkle with crispy bacon pieces.  Oh.  My.  So good.