Ingredients:

• 3 cups water
  2 tablespoons ham-flavored soup base
  1 (10-ounce) package matchstick carrots
  1 small onion, diced
  1/2 gallon heavy cream, reserve 1 cup
  1/2 cup butter
  1 pound diced ham
  2 (16-ounce) bags frozen broccoli, thawed, drained, cut into bite-sized chunks
  1/4-1/2 teaspoon white pepper
  2 (14.5 ounce) cans diced tomatoes, undrained
  8 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  1/2 cup flour

In an 8-quart pot, bring water and soup base to a boil. Add carrots and onion; cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove lid; turn heat to high. Slowly add cream, stirring while bringing to a boil. Add butter, ham, broccoli, and pepper. Stirring occasionally, bring back to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to low; simmer for 10 minutes. Add tomatoes and cheese; stir until cheese is melted. In small bowl, whisk reserved 1 cup of cream and flour until smooth. Slowly pour into soup, stirring constantly. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer an additional 10 minutes.