cheddar chowder

2 cups boiling water
2 cups potato
1/2 cup carrots
1/2 cup celery
1/4 cup onion
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

sauce:
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup flour
2 cups milk
2 1/2 cups cheese, shredded (i used sharp cheddar)

chop up all veggies. combine boiling water, veggies, salt and pepper in a large pot - cover and simmer for 10 minutes. *don't drain* in a separate pot, melt the butter. on medium heat, slowly add in flour while stirring then slowly add milk while stirring. stir until thickened. add shredded cheese and stir until combined. add sauce to large pot with veggies - stir all together. (will thicken as it cools). all done!

*note: this is an old ricks college fave courtesy of paula rose. it is so good and really easy but definitely not the healthiest chowder you'll ever eat. i added more veggies (and added little more boiling water to compensate) and cut back a little on the butter (leaving out a little flour to compensate). it probably serves 6-8 normal people, but troy and i finished off a pot on our own. oops! it doubles easily if you want to have leftovers.