Hamburger Potato Chowder

I only call this soup a chowder because it has a light, thin broth similar to clam chowder. Whatever you decide to call it: it's DELICIOUS. Besides, "Hamburger Veggie Soup" just doesn't sound as good. ;) You can make this with breakfast sausage or hamburger. We've made it both ways and our family seems to like hamburger better. We've also found we really like red potatoes in it. Brown russet potatoes work well, too. It's just a feel good soup in which we never have any leftovers.

[Read all of recipe before beginning ;)]

Ingredients:

5 cups chicken broth (see note)
2 cups carrots, diced small
1 celery rib, diced very small
5 red or brown potatoes, diced small
1/2 cup finely chopped onions
3-4 cloves garlic, pressed in garlic press
1 lb hamburger (or sausage or half a pound of each, we prefer hamburger but both are great)
1 12oz can evaporated milk
2 Tbsp broth (from soup -see instructions)
1 Tbsp cornstarch

Note about broth: I've found we really like the Knorr Chicken Flavor Bouillon in the mexican aisle
If you choose to do the bouillon, we do 1 Tbsp for every cup of water. Feel free to adjust this to your own tastes. Place water in a bowl with bouillon and warm it up in the microwave for about 2-3 minutes. Stir until bouillon is mixed well.

Directions:

Into a 3.5 quart pot, add broth, carrots, celery, and potatoes.
Cook all veggies in chicken broth until potatoes are about half done. I do a taste check at this point. I usually add some pepper, but rarely any salt.

While you are simultaneously cooking the veggies, in a 3 quart pan, cook the hamburger, onions, and garlic. I VERY lightly salt my hamburger and sprinkle some pepper over it. Brown it until done. I like to break my hamburger up so it is fine. It is a soup that you want to get a little of everything in every bite. I don't like any of the hamburger or veggies being too big.

Remove any grease from the hamburger. Add this to the veggies when the potatoes are half done. Allow to simmer until veggies are VERY close to done. When the veggies are tender, add evaporated milk and stir. You can serve it at this point. OR, if you want it just slightly thicker, you can remove 2 Tbsp of broth to a small bowl and stir in 1 Tbsp of cornstarch. Stir until smooth and then add back into the soup. Do one last taste test and serve.

We love this soup with biscuits or breadsticks or even just saltines. So delicious and just warms you right up! Simple and delicious!