Green Bean and Ham Soup

Ingredients:

4 cups fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces

3 cups russet potatoes, unpeeled and cubed

2 small onions, thinly sliced

3 whole carrots, peeled and sliced

1 pound fully cooked ham, cut into bite-sized pieces

9 cups water

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 cup half and half

2 tablespoons corn starch

1/4 cup cold water

Yield:

12, 1 cup servings

Directions:

Place green beans, potatoes, onions, carrots, ham and the nine cups water into a large soup pot; cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer, uncovered, about 45 minutes or until the vegetables are tender. Remove the pot from the heat and add the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and half and half. Return to heat and bring to a simmer again. Combine corn starch and the 1/4 cup cold water in a small bowl. When simmer begins, combine the corn starch mixture into the soup and stir well. Allow the soup to remain on the heat for 5-7 more minutes while it thickens.