POTATO, BACON, HAM, & RAMP (WILD LEEK) SOUP

Potato, Bacon, Ham, & Ramp (Wild Leek) Soup image

Provided by Carolyn Chasteen

Number Of Ingredients 12

6 slice uncooked bacon, diced
6 c diced red or yukon gold potatoes (i don't peel them)
1 c diced ham
2 c diced onion
4 c water
4 tsp chicken bouillon granules or 4 cubes
1/2-1 tsp salt (depends on how salty the ham is)
1/2-1 tsp white pepper
2 c ramps (wild leeks), sliced or chopped (use both the green and white parts)
2 c milk (i used 2 %)
4 Tbsp flour
several pats of butter

Steps:

1. Sautee the bacon with the onion until the onion is translucent or almost tender. Add the water, bouillon, potatoes, ham, salt, and pepper. Simmer until the potatoes are tender.
2. Add the chopped ramps to to the simmering pot. Thoroughly combine the milk with the flour and add that to the pot too. Cook until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally. Serve hot with a small pat of butter placed on the surface of each bowl of soup.
3. Note: Regular cultivated leeks, found in most grocery stores, make an excellent substitute for wild leeks in this recipe but trim off and discard the tough part of the green tops if using them.