Ham and Cheddar Chowder

I got a request for this from my dear hubby.  This too is adapted from ,The American Country Inn and Bed&Breakfast Cookbook Vol II.  I had a bit of ham left but not enough to do something major so this filled the bill. This recipe is from the Cottonwood House in Estes, Colorado. 

With the Ham and Cheese Chowder we are having homemade sourdough bread and fruit.  Later on we will have some scones and tea.

Here is the adapted recipe for Ham and Cheddar

1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup diced celery
2 tablespoons of butter
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2 cans chicken broth
2 cups diced potatoes
1/2 cup carrots
1/2 cup peas
1/2 cup frozen or fresh green beans
 1 small sweet potato diced
2 tablespoons dried parsley
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
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!/3 cup butter
1/3 cup AP flour
3 cups warmed milk
1 cup shredded fat free cheddar
11/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar
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1 cup cubed ham 


In a skillet , saute onions and celery until tender and set aside.
In a medium size pan put the next nine ingredients and bring to a boil until tender.(do not drain)
Make a white sauce by melting the butter in a pan, add the flour and whisk until smooth (about a minute)  Add the milk.  (warm milk will make the sauce thicken more quickly).  Add the cheese and stir until melted.  Add to the vegetable mixture. Stir and add the ham.  If the soup is too thin add a bit of instant potatoes . 

This was gone by the end of dinner.  It was really good.  Everyone agreed that this is a make again,  Soon!