Potato Cheese Soup

This is a recipe I make on cold rainy days and I always make homemade rolls to go with it. Warms the tummy and the heart just thinking about it. This recipe serves about 8 and can easily be doubled.

1 cup chopped onion
1 cup diced celery
3 cups diced potatoes
3/4 cup butter
3/4 cup flour
1 quart half & half
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
pepper to taste
2 teaspoons sugar
8 slices of American Cheese

Place vegetables in pan and add just enough water to barely cover them. Cover and bring to boil. Then turn down heat to simmer until potatoes are tender.

In the meantime, melt butter in sauce pan and then add flour. Totally integrate flour into butter to create a roux. Then add half and half a little at a time stirring thoroughly between each amount added until smooth. Cook and stir until smooth and thick, using a wire whisk. Then add salt, pepper, and sugar. At this time, add cheese a slice at a time to sauce and stir until melted before adding next slice.

Add sauce to undrained potatoes, stir, reheat if needed, and serve.