Ham and Potato Soup

1 bag frozen mirepoix mix
8 cloves garlic,minced
10 cups water
3 T. chicken bouillon
salt and pepper
3 cups potato flakes
1 lb potatoes, chopped
1.5 cups cubed ham


**optional - green onion, cheese, sour cream, nutritional yeast flakes

Soften the mirepoix and the garlic in a bit of olive oil with salt and pepper. Add water, bouillon, and potato flakes. Using a stick blender (or pouring it into a food processor or blender) puree mixture until smooth. Add in potatoes and ham. Simmer until potatoes are cooked. Serve with green onion, sour cream, and/or cheese to put on top if you desire. For my dairy allergic daughter I give her green onion and let her sprinkle on some nutritional yeast flakes.