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Ham - and - Corn Chowder With Cheese

Crusty bread

Green salad

Fresh fruit compote with figs

This ham-and-corn chowder may taste as if it took hours to make but it’s actually very easy--and fast. A one-pound slice of ham, available in most supermarkets, is cut into cubes and thrown into the pot with cubed potato, onion, cabbage, canned stock and corn.

The chowder will taste even better with a good homemade meat stock. And if you have more time to spare, ham hocks--slowly simmered in the stock until tender--are delicious in place of the sliced ham. Add shredded Swiss cheese to the soup while it’s still piping hot and it will melt nicely.

Serve a green salad alongside the soup. For dessert, pick up some fresh or dried figs and a container of cut-up fresh fruits in the refrigerated deli section; then poach them in a sugar syrup with cinnamon or sweet mixed spices.

Staples

1 onion

2 (14 1/2-ounce) cans clear chicken broth or homemade meat stock

Shopping

1 head cabbage

1 (1-pound 1/2-ounce) can cream-style corn

1 (1-pound) package ham slice

1 potato

1 small package shredded Swiss cheese

Optional Side-Dish Shopping

French or rye bread

Fresh or dried figs

Deli fresh fruit salad

Salad greens

HAM-AND-CORN CHOWDER WITH CHEESE

1 large potato

1 tablespoon butter

1 small onion, minced

1/2 head cabbage, chopped

2 (14 1/2-ounce) cans clear chicken broth

1 (1-pound 1/2-ounce) can cream-style corn

1 (1-pound) package cooked ham slice, cut in 3/4-inch cubes

Salt, pepper

1/2 cup shredded Swiss, mozzarella or Jack cheese

Peel and cube potato and place in bowl of cold water.

Melt butter in medium soup pot. Saute onion and cabbage until tender. Add chicken broth, corn, ham and potato. Cover and simmer until potato is tender, about 15 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve hot, sprinkled with Swiss cheese. Makes 4 servings.