Tuesday
Apr092013

bean soup {life}

I mentioned to you guys that I made bean soup last week using the last of the Easter ham and I thought I'd pop the recipe up here for you. It was easy-peasy. We had it the night my mom and Mike got into town, and I needed something that could easily sit all day and reheat for our late arrival home (I had a day where I'd be away from home for most of it and Callum had a baseball game which got us in the door after 7 PM.). After leaving a mix of navy and great northern beans to soak over night, I assembled the remaining ingredients that morning, let the soup sit on the stove during the day and reheated when we got home. It had been freezing cold and sleeting at the ball game (I might not have mentioned that, wink, wink.), and this soup was the prefect hearty treat to come home too.

2 cups navy or GNBs or both, soaked
2 cups (or more) cubed ham
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 stalks celery, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon thyme
chicken broth

Brown 1/2 cup of the ham in a large stock pot until some of the fat is rendered. Add the carrots and the celery and saute´. If the ham was very lean, you may need to add the olive oil to the pan to saute´the veggies. Once the vegetables are translucent, add the garlic and saute´for 30 seconds until it releases its scent. Add the thyme, remaining ham, beans and enough chicken broth to cover and bring to a low simmer. Simmer until beans are soft and adjust seasonings. I can almost guarantee you won't need salt. ;) Serve will warm rolls to soak up the broth.

It was hearty, warm soup weather when we had these, but by adjusting the vegetables (switiching the carrots and celery for asparagus maybe) and simmering less time (so the broth doesn't thicken) would make this a lighter, more spring like soup. Enjoy!

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Reader Comments (7)

hungry! that is what this post is doing to me. how did you know that was one of my favorite soups ever? asparagus sounds like a nice touch too. i will have to try it that way. yum!

Yesss!! Ham and bean soup is one of my favorites. But will it break your heart to know I think I've only ever had it out of a Campbell's can? If I find that delicious, you can imagine yours will blow my mind, haha. Oh, and I always need salt. I'm probably going to give myself a heart attack young, but I love me some salt. xo

April 9, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterErin

Well, yum! My whole family would love it over rice. We eat everything with rice. ;) We went over to our Aunt and Uncle's on Saturday night for family dinner and Uncle made split pea soup with the leftover ham from Easter. It was so good, over rice. He also made three meat loafs which was barely touched because the soup was so good and hearty. Anyway, I'll have to share this recipe with him.

April 9, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterTheresa

looks yummy! my teen has a nasty cough and could do with some hot, homemade soup. happy wednesday!

April 10, 2013 | Unregistered Commenternoreen

Lovely soup Lauren, it's making me hungry as well! Love the addition of the ham. Hope the weather warms up for you guys soon.

April 10, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterCatherine Bedson

This looks delicious! I love beans in every variation. This recipe will surely be tried out!

April 10, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterNina

Looks delicious Lauren and full of colour and flavour......great to have an easy recipe that you can have organised and re heat when ready.....my sort of meal!!
Glad you enjoyed the travel post hope you can follow the series and get something out of it for your upcoming Europe holiday sounds exciting.
Carla x

April 11, 2013 | Unregistered CommenterCarla Coulson

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