Wild Rice Soup
"elegant"
 tablespoons butter
1/2 
 cup finely grated carrots
 tablespoon minced onion
 tbsp. chopped slivered almonds
1/2 
 cup flour
1/2 
 teaspoon salt (optional)
 cups chicken broth
 cup half and half
 cups cooked wild rice
 tbsp. dry sherry (optional)
1/3 
 cup minced ham    minced parsley or chives

Melt butter in saucepan; saute onions until tender. Blend in flour; gradually add broth. Cook stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil; boil 1 minute. Stir in rice, ham, carrots, almonds and salt; simmer about 5 minutes. Blend in half and half and sherry; heat to serving temperature. Garnish with minced parsley or chives.

Yield: 6 cups.