Recipe Monday - Quick Cheeseburger Chowder

Sometimes you just need comfy food and this chowder does the trick. It is very satisfying and even more tasty with homemade buttermilk biscuits served with it. Hey, you can take the southern girl out of the south but not the south out of a southern girl!

Ingredients:

• 1 pound sausage
• 1/2 pound lean hamburger (I prefer 93% lean)
• 2 cups of cubed peeled potatoes (I prefer gold potatoes and leave peels on)
• 1/2 cup chopped celery (I always double but I love celery)
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 2 tablespoons of chopped green or red pepper (if desired)
• 1 tablespoon of instant beef bouillon (buy the non msg version)
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 2 cups of milk (see note)
• 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
• 1 cup of shredded Cheddar Cheese

Directions:

1. In large saucepan, cook sausage and hamburger until browned. Drain off fat.
2. Stir in potatoes, celery, onion, green/red pepper, bouillon granules and 2 cups of water and salt.
3. Cover and cook on low-medium heat for 20 to 25 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
4. Combine flour and 1/2 cup of water and stir until dissolved. Stir into meat mixture and simmer until thickened.
5. Add milk (Note: I prefer to add about half of the milk and then stir. I keep adding until I get the consistency that I like. You control how thick or thin you want it this way.
6. Add shredded cheese and heat just until cheese melts.

Serve in a beautiful bowl. Add additional shredded cheese if desired and enjoy. And don't forget the biscuits!

Bon appetit!