Ham and Bean Soup

[black_raven135]

Ham and Bean Soup

1 pound dried Navy beans, sorted and soaked overnight, drained
2 quarts water
1 meaty ham bone or chunks of ham
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
3/4 cup chopped celery with leaves
1/2 cup chopped onion
Combine beans and water in a large saucepan. Bring to a simmer; cook just until tender. Combine

Comments

[von_holmes]

Is this the kind of ham and bean soup that's kind of a traditional recipe? I recall my grandmother making something like this, and when she'd eat it, she'd put a little bit of white vinegar in her bowl with it. I wish I could see a photo of this.

[black_raven135]

I have no photo, just the recipe, but this is the traditional
soup which the Navy has lived on for ages.
It is also the soup that is often made following Christmas dinner, when there is a ham bone.
I love it with a bit of bread, salad, and some fruit as a main meal.

[honestlyamigo]

will this soup (since I find this happens in the crockpot) be more like broth with beans in it or will it actually be thick from the beans bursting?

[black_raven135]

No, it will not be broth with some beans and ham.
It is only two quarts of water and a POUND of
beans will absorb the liquid.
BTW you can also do a quick soak for the beans, I forgot
to mention it.
Rinse beans with cold water. Cover with about
5 inches of water.
Bring to boil on stove and let boil for 3 minutes.
Cover and let sit 1 hour before preparing any dish.
A lot of cooks prefer this quick prep method believing
that it actually leeches less nutrition from the beans than
soaking them overnight.
Split peas and lentils do not need any sort of preparation.

[annamaryse]

Thanks for posting this.... I love, love, love bean + ham soup!

[weomi]

ive made this too. it is AMAZING. i add a little lemon and honey to half beef half chicken stock instead of just water. bay leaves (2) are also good.

just remember to remove the bone after no more than 6 hours or you wind up with gelatinous masses of cartilage :(

[black_raven135]

You are entirely right about using broth, Pacific is a lovely brand, instead of water and removing bone..........