Wild Rice Soup

Wild Rice Soup

6 Tbs butter
1 Tbs Onion, minced
1 C Cooked Ham, minced
1/2 C Carrots, grated
1/4 C Almonds, slivered, toasted
1 rib celery, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 C Flour
3 C Chicken Broth
2 C Wild Rice, cooked
1/2 tsp Salt
1 C Half And Half
2 Tbs Dry Sherry, (optional)
Pepper
3 C water

Melt 2 Tbs butter in saucepan, saute onions, carrots, celery, garlic and ham until tender. Remove from pan, and add butter to equal 1/4 C flour (4Tbs). Blend in flour, fry until smooth, 2-3 minutes, then gradually add broth. Cook stirring constantly until mixture thickens slightly. Stir in rice, ham, carrots, almonds, celery, onion, garlic and salt; simmer about 5 minutes, adding as much of the 3 cups of water as needed for desired consistency. Blend in half and half and sherry; heat to serving temperature and season with pepper.