Recipes/IP Ham Soup

Based on https://www.simplyhappyfoodie.com/instant-pot-potato-ham-soup/

First, prepare a ham broth - take the bone from a bone-in ham, and at least some of the associated fat (ideally some of the bits with meat still in it), and put it in the Instant pot, with about 3 cups of water - enough to mostly cover the bone. Run the instant pot on high for around 2 hours. Strain the broth and put in the fridge for a few hours - you should get a thick layer of fat on top that you can scrape off.

Now, prepare the soup:

Ingredients

  • 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
  • 2 Tbsp Butter, unsalted
  • 1 small Sweet Onion (Walla Walla, Vidalia, etc.)
  • 3 Cloves of Garlic, pressed or minced
  • 2 Bay Leaf
  • 1/4 tsp Coriander Powder
  • 1/2 tsp Thyme Leaves, dried
  • 1/4 cup Flour
  • 3 cups Ham Broth (Can use prepared chicken broth if no ham broth is available)
  • 1 1/2 lbs Gold Potatoes, diced
  • 2 cups Ham, diced (great way to use leftover)

To Finish

  • 1 1/2 cups Half and Half (or heavy cream, or whole milk)
  • 1 cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese, grated or cut into small chunks
  • 1/2 cup Sour Cream (optional)
  • 1 cup frozen corn

Instructions

  • Turn on the Instant Pot Sauté function (Normal/Med heat). When the display reads “Hot” add the olive oil and butter.

  • Add the onion and cook until they start to soften and turn translucent.

  • Add the garlic. Sauté for a minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant.

  • Add the bay leaf, Coriander powder, and thyme. Stir.

  • Sprinkle in the flour and stir, mixing well.

  • Pour in half of the broth while stirring, making sure there are no lumps, then continue stirring in the rest of the broth.

  • Let the contents of the pot come to a simmer, then add the potatoes and the ham. Stir.

  • Place the lid on the pot and lock it in place. Turn the Steam Release Knob to the Sealing position (except on the Ultra model).

  • Cancel the Sauté function.

  • Select Manual (or Pressure Cook), and use the + or - buttons (or dial) to choose 5 minutes.

  • When the cooking cycle has finished, let the pot go into the Natural Release (Warm) mode. You don’t have to do anything, it will do this automatically.

  • After 20 minutes of Natural Pressure Release, you can manually release the remaining pressure by turning the Steam Release Knob to the Venting position (or pushing the button on the Ultra).

  • When the pressure is all out of the pot, and the pin in the lid has dropped, you can open the lid.

  • Stir in the cheese, if using.

  • Add the half and half (and sour cream, if using), and stir.

  • Add the frozen corn if using and stir.