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Winter Ham Soup with Blue Cheese

Origin: North AmericanPeriod: Traditional

Winter Ham Soup with Blue Cheese is a hearty, warming soup of North American traditional origin, characterized by a savory base built from butter, flour, and milk that lends it a notably thick, bisque-like consistency. The dish incorporates white onion, marjoram, and white pepper as its principal aromatics, creating a subtly herbaceous flavor profile that complements the richness of its dairy components. While the recipe title references both ham and blue cheese, the recorded ingredient list reflects a foundational cream soup framework typical of cold-weather farmhouse cookery.

Cultural Significance

The precise cultural and historical origins of this specific preparation are not well documented in major culinary literature. It broadly reflects the tradition of economical, ingredient-driven winter soups common in North American settler and rural communities, where pantry staples such as flour, butter, and milk were transformed into sustaining cold-weather meals. The classification data as recorded appears inconsistent with the dish's actual character, suggesting possible cataloging error in the source registry.

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vegetarianvegangluten-freedairy-freenut-free
Prep10 min
Cook25 min
Total35 min
Servings4
Difficultyintermediate

Ingredients

Method

1
Melt butter in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the chopped white onion and sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened and translucent.
6 minutes
2
Sprinkle flour over the softened onions and stir continuously to form a roux. Cook the roux for 2 minutes, stirring constantly to eliminate the raw flour taste.
2 minutes
3
Gradually pour in the milk and water, whisking constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Continue whisking until the mixture is smooth and begins to thicken.
5 minutes
4
Season the soup with marjoram, white pepper, and salt, stirring to incorporate evenly. Reduce heat to medium-low and allow the soup to simmer gently.
3 minutes
5
Add the diced ham to the pot and stir to combine with the thickened soup base. Simmer for an additional 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
10 minutes
6
Crumble the blue cheese into the soup and stir gently until it melts and fully incorporates into the broth. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and white pepper as needed.
3 minutes
7
Remove the pot from heat and let the soup rest for 2-3 minutes before serving. Ladle into warm bowls and optionally garnish with a small additional crumble of blue cheese and a pinch of dried marjoram.
3 minutes