Ham and Potato Soup

Ingredients

• ¼ cup butter
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 1 cup carrots, diced
• 1 cup Dandy® Celery, diced
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 3 cups diced Yukon gold potatoes (or Russet or red-skinned)
• 2 cups cooked ham, cubed
• 4 cups chicken stock or chicken broth , unsalted
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 ½ cups half and half
• Kosher salt
• fresh cracked pepper