Elegant Wild Rice Soup

Ingredients

• 6 tbls. butter
• 1 tbl. minced onion
• 1/2 cup flour
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups cooked wild rice
• 1/2 cup grated carrots
• 1/3 cup minced ham
• 3 tbls. sliced almonds
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 cup fat-free half-and-half
• 1 bunch fresh parsley, minced (optional)
• 1 bunch green onions, finely sliced (optional)

Directions

1. Melt butter in saucepan and sauté onions in butter until tender.

2. Using a whisk, blend in flour, then gradually add broth. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil; boil 1 minute.

3. Stir in rice, carrots, ham, almonds and salt; simmer about 5 minutes.

4. Blend in half-and-half, and heat to serving temperature.

5. Garnish with minced parsley and green onions if desired.

Serves 6 to 8.

*Source: The Advocate – Baton Rouge, La.