Phil's Famous Potato Soup

Ingredients

• 1 package Salt Pork cooked until it is brown and crispy; or desired amount of diced ham cubes (usually 8-16 oz)

• 1½ cup diced celery

• 2 quarts milk

• 16 oz half and half or 8 oz or cream

• 6-8 potatoes, diced

• 1 Medium onion

• Salt and Pepper

• 4 tsp. parsley

Preparation

Boil potatoes with 2 Tbs. salt until tender.  If using salt pork-- brown until crispy and drain most fat, sauté onion and celery with salt pork until onion is translucent.  When using ham cubes sauté the onion and celery in a small amount of oil (until the onion is translucent.)    Drain off most of the water and add half and half or cream, milk, onion, celery and parsley and meat.  You can add the cream and just a portion of the milk and then add as it simmers to your desired consistency.  It’s always better to start thick and add some milk rather than the other way around.  Simmer for 1½ hours.  Mash or blend a small amount of the potatoes to help thicken.