Ingredients

　　5 pounds Russet baking potatoes, cut into 1-inch cubes

　　1 thick slice of cooked ham, cut into small pieces (not country ham, which is too salty)

　　1/2 cup (1 stick) butter

　　Salt and pepper

　　1 cup half-and-half

　　1/2 cup sour cream

　　Place the potatoes in a large pot and add enough water to just cover the potatoes (too much water will make the soup too thin). Cover and bring to a boil, then uncover and cook over medium-high heat for 20 minutes. Reduce the heat and add the ham and butter. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Over low heat, add the half-and-half and sour cream; keep warm over low heat until serving time. I promise that everyone will want the recipe (men more than women)!

　　The Lady & Sons, Too! by Paula Deen. © 2001 by Paula H. Deen. Published by Random House. All Rights Reserved.Paula H. Deen was born and raised in Albany, Georgia. She later moved to Savannah, where she and her two sons, Bobby and Jamie, started the Bag Lady catering company. The business took off and evolved into The Lady & Sons Restaurant, which is located in Savannah’s historic district and specializes in Southern cooking. Paula is the host of Food Network’s Paula’s Home Cooking and is a regular guest on QVC, where her cookbooks are one of the newtowrk’s biggest sellers.