Classic Ham and Bean Soup

Classic Ham and Bean Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 lb dried navy beans or Great Northern beans
• 1 meaty ham bone, or 2 cups diced cooked ham
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups water
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• Salt, to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

 Instructions:

1. Rinse the dried beans and soak them overnight in plenty of water. Drain and rinse before cooking.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery and cook for about 5 minutes until softened.
3. Add the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
4. Add the soaked beans, ham bone or diced ham, chicken broth, water, bay leaf, thyme, black pepper, and salt.
5. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for about 1½ to 2 hours, or until the beans are tender.
6. If using a ham bone, remove it from the pot. Pull off any remaining meat, shred or chop it, and return it to the soup.
7. For a thicker soup, mash some of the cooked beans against the side of the pot and stir them back into the broth.
8. Taste and adjust the seasoning before serving.

Serve hot with crusty bread or cornbread for the perfect comforting meal!