1Dice the onion, carrots, and celery. Chop the garlic cloves. Peel and dice the potatoes into small cubes.
2In a large pot, heat the oil or butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften. Add the chopped garlic and thyme, cooking for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
3Sprinkle the flour (or rice flour) over the sautéed vegetables. Stir well to coat the vegetables and cook for another 2 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste.
4Slowly pour in the ham broth or chicken broth while stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Add the milk (or heavy cream) and continue stirring until the mixture is smooth.
5Stir in the diced potatoes and diced ham. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
6Add the corn to the pot and stir well. Continue to simmer for another 5-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
7Taste the chowder and season with salt and pepper as needed. If the chowder is too thick, you can add more broth or milk to reach your desired consistency.
8Ladle the hot chowder into bowls and serve warm. Optionally, garnish with fresh herbs or a sprinkle of shredded cheese for an extra touch of flavor
Ingredients
3 tablespoons oil or butter
1 onion, diced
2 carrots, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 teaspoon thyme, chopped
0.25 cup flour (or rice flour if you prefer a gluten-free option)
2 cups ham broth or chicken broth
2 cups milk (or heavy cream)
1.5 pounds potatoes, cut into small dice, with peeling optional