Ingredients

1 tablespoonful olive oil

3/4 cup wild rice

4 cups water

1/2 tsp salt

1 med onion diced

1 carrot diced

1 rib celery diced

1 cup diced ham

1/2 cup butter or margarin

1/2 cup flour

2 cans (about 4 cups) chicken broth

1 1/2 cups reserved rice broth

2 cups half & half (fat free works well)

1/2 teaspoonful salt

1/2 teaspoonful white pepper

Preparation

Saute the rice in 1 tablespoonful of olive oil until colonels curl and pop.Stir often. Add 4 cups of water and 1/2 tsp salt. Cover and cook for 20 minutes. Drain & reserve stock for later use. Set rice aside.

over medium heat saute onion, carrot, and celery in 1/2 cup butter or margarin until onion is transparent. Reduce heat and add 1/2 cup flour. Stir constantly for 5 minutes. Add reserved rice broth and chicken stock. Allow to thicken slightly. Add 1/2 tsp salt and white pepper,rice,ham and the half & half. simmer slowly for 20 minutes. Enjoy