Cheesy Potato Corn Chowder

Here's another warm and filling soup for these cold winter days.

Ingredients:

• 1 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 stalks celery, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 russet potatoes, chopped
• 1 cup frozen corn (or one can of corn)
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 4 oz. sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup half and half
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Heat olive oil in large stockpot.  Add onions and celery and saute until soft, about 5 minutes.  Add garlic and cook for one more minute, until fragrant.  Stir in potatoes, broth, and corn.  Heat to a boil, then lower to medium heat and simmer until potatoes are fork tender.  Add cheese and half and half.  Stir until cheese is melted in.

The second time I made this soup, I forgot the corn.  It's still good, but I was trying to figure out why it didn't make quite as much as the first time!