White Bean Soup with Ham

Description

Add a ham bone to White Bean Soup and proceed directly to heaven.

• Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group
• Source: How to Cook Everything
• Time: at least 1½ hours
• Makes 8 or more servings

Ingredients

• 1 ham bone or 2 or 3 smoked ham hocks
• 3 cups navy, pea, or other dried white beans, washed and picked over
• 12 cups chicken, beef, or vegetable stock, or water
• 2 medium onions, quartered
• salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• minced fresh parsley leaves for garnish

Directions

1. Place the ham bone, beans, and stock or water together in a large saucepan or casserole and turn the heat to medium-high; add the onions.
2. When this boils, turn the heat down to medium-low and cover partially.
3. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beans are very soft and any meat falling off the bone, at least 1 hour.
4. Turn off the heat; remove the bone from the pot and let cool slightly.
5. Take all the meat off the bone, chop it, and set it aside.
6. Mash or puree the beans, then return them to the pot along with the ham.
7. Reheat, season to taste, garnish, and serve.