Chicken Corn Chowder with Sweet Potatoes

I just made this soup tonight, and it turned out great! I somewhat developed my own version (adding sweet potatoes and chicken), as I usually do, using a recipe I found on foodnetwork.com. I hope you like it! It's really easy, and a great weeknight dinner - served with bread on the side (see my recipe for easy, homemade Light Oat bread)!

1/4 cup butter
1/2 onion, chopped
1/2 c carrot, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 c flour

1 can corn kernels
1 can chicken broth
1 bay leaf (optional)
1 small sweet potato, chopped small & steamed 3 minutes
1 c cooked chicken, chopped
1 c half & half
nutmeg
salt & pepper, to taste

Melt 1/4 c butter over medium heat in saucepan, add onion, carrots, and garlic. Cook until tender, then add flour. Make a roux and cook until golden, set aside.

Heat to boiling: corn, chicken broth, sweet potato, bay leaf, and chicken in another saucepan. Simmer for 10 minutes (then take out bay leaf). Whisk into roux a little at a time, until all combined, then add half & half a little at a time. Season with a dash of nutmeg and salt & fresh-ground pepper.