Ingredients:

• ¼ cup chopped onion

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 3 cups water

• 3 ½ teaspoons chicken bouillon granules (or 4 cubes)

• 8 ounces low-fat cream cheese

• 1 cup cooked ham cubes

• 16 ounces frozen hash browns

• ¾ teaspoon garlic powder

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon black pepper
   

Preparation:

1. In a medium saucepan, sauté onions in olive oil.  Add rest of ingredients except ham.  Cook until potatoes are tender and cream cheese is melted.   

2. Pour mixture into blender and puree until smooth.   Pour pureed potato mixture back into saucepan and add ham.  Cook on low, stirring occasionally for 1 hour.

3. Serve with bacon crumbles, cheddar cheese, sour cream and chives.

   Serves 4