Fall and Winter almost beg for the warm comfort of creamy soups. I am sure it has something to do with all that chilly weather, but nothing satisfies on a cool evening better than a steaming bowl of soup. I love this soup because it goes together so quickly with relatively few, simple ingredients. There is nothing too fancy for a wary child's palette, and it is creamy without being laden with cream and fat. This would be delicious with with either my Corn-Free Millet Cornbread or Gluten and Dairy Free Biscuits.
LUNCHBOX TIP: This soup travel well in a thermos for lunch!
3 1/2 cups peeled and diced potatoes (I used a mixture of yellow and red. Yellow are more creamy)
2/3 cup diced celery
1 medium chopped onion
1/2 pound diced cooked ham (I used thinly sliced deli ham)
3 cups chicken or veggie broth
5 tablespoons Earth Balance Buttery Spread, or butter
5 tablespoons brown rice flour (or any rice flour)
2 cups unsweetened non-dairy milk** (I used unsweetened So Delicious Coconut Milk, in the green carton)
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
Optional Garnishes: cooked chopped bacon, shredded cheese, sliced green onion
**It is important to note that 'plain' non-dairy milks often contain some sugar. For savory dishes like this, I like to be sure and use an 'unsweetened' variety, which will be stated explicitly on the carton. You can also look at the grams of sugar on the nutrition label to be sure.
Combine the potatoes, celery, onion, ham, and broth of choice in a stockpot. Bring to a boil and gently simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 10-15 minutes. Lightly mash the potatoes with a fork or potato masher, right inside the stockpot, no need to remove them first. This mashing helps deliver the dairy-free creaminess to the soup.
In a small saucepan, melt the butter and whisk in the flour to remove any lumps. Add to the stockpot. Whisk to combine. Pour in the milk while whisking. Cook until smooth and creamy. Add in salt and pepper to taste, and pinch of cayenne wouldn't hurt either!
This recipe was shared on Sunday Night Soup Night, It's a Keeper, Fat Tuesday, Slightly Indulgent Tuesday, Thursday's Treasures, Show Off Your Stuff, Creative Juice Thursday, Simple Lives Thursday and Gluten Free Wednesdays
yum! love how it's creamy without the dairy! i think i will definitely be giving this a try!
ReplyDelete~Michelle @ The G-Free Wifey
I love any kind of potato chowder. I was so pleased when I went dairy free to find that almond milk worked just as well as dairy milk in my chowder recipes. I haven't tried coconut milk because one of my kids is picky about the taste of it. This recipe looks really good, and I'm sure you're right that it would be good for a lunch box meal.
ReplyDelete@ Linda: find the So Delicious brand to have the least coconut flavor of any of the brands I have tried. If your son still shies from it (I'd be surprised) it disappears in baked goods! You're right though, any non-dairy milk usually works great. Some leave aftertastes, as I am sure you know. I like how the coconut milk varieties are a little thicker too.
ReplyDeleteChowders are my favorite soups, and it's been daunting for me to attempt to make them gluten-free. I'll have to try out this recipe!
ReplyDelete@ Annaliese: I am glad this recipe gives you courage...the whole point of my blog!! If you have questions, please shoot them my way...via my facebook page would be easiest, or another comment!
ReplyDeleteI tried this last night and doubled it! But, I only used on onion still! I used chicken broth and Water. Added turkey bacon instead of Ham! Very delicious! A keeper recipe! thank you very much!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteI was going to ask if anyone has used another dairy-free milk besides coconut. I want to try this but am sensitive to the coconut taste myself. :)kirsten
ReplyDeleteI would try unsweetened almond or rice!
ReplyDeletedouble yum! my family loved it!kirsten
ReplyDeleteI love this healthy version of a classic. It sounds delicious.
ReplyDeleteI think this is what we'll try tonight for dinner. I was going to do ham & bean, but potatoes don't take as much preparation as dried beans. Plus, I just love creamy potato chowders. And, I made homemade chicken broth from our whole chicken. It simmered in the crockpot all night and smells/looks so rich. I can't wait to try it! Thanks for pointing me in this direction. I'll let you know how it turns out.
ReplyDeleteThis looks so hearty and warming, and easy to make! Thanks for sharing this with Sunday Night Soup Night, look forward to seeing you again soon!
ReplyDelete