Sausage & Potato Soup

YUMMY!!! This is one of my new favorite soups ... it's been a while since we've had Ham and Potato Soup but I think I enjoy this one more ... LOTS of flavor!!! Sydney finished her dinner in record time tonight!!! (And that's a huge accomplishment) I used maple sausage which added a lot to the flavor of the soup ... I might try an Italian sausage next time as a comparison but this was DE-LICIOUS!!! Served with Onion and Cheddar Biscuits ... I'll blog that recipe on another day :-)

Ingredients:

• 4 cups peeled and diced potatoes
• 1/2 cup diced celery
• 1/2 cup finely chopped onion/scallion
• 3/4 cup sliced carrots
• 1 pound sausage
• 2 cups water
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 1 1/4 teaspoons ground black pepper, or to taste
• 5 tablespoons butter
• 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• Garnish: Sharp Cheddar Cheese and Green Onion

Directions:

1. Combine the potatoes, celery, onion, carrots, water and chicken broth in a stockpot. Bring to a boil, then cook over medium heat until potatoes are tender, about 10 to 15 minutes. 
2. Meanwhile, in a separate saucepan, cook sausage over medium high until done, about 10 minutes. Drain any grease from sausage and add sausage the stockpot a long with the salt and pepper.
3. In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in flour and cook, stirring constantly until thick, about 1 minute. Slowly stir in milk as not to allow lumps to form until all of the milk has been added. Continue stirring over medium-low heat until thick, about 4 to 5 minutes.
4. Stir the milk mixture into the stockpot, and cook soup until heated through. Serve immediately.