Simple Ham and Bean Soup

[Kimchee]

Adjust quantities for the amount you desire...
I make a big batch cuz it just gets better.

Ham, about 2 cups diced. "Real" ham is best, but deli or
cold cut will do in a pinch.
1 Ham hock (worth buying, adds great flavor)
2 ribs celery, chopped
2-4 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 onion, chopped
1 carrot, diced (optional)
1/2 leek, diced (optional)
2 bay leaves
1/2 tsp seasoning salt
1/4 tsp pepper
4 cans Great Northern Beans
1 qt chicken broth or stock

Saute the celery, garlic, onion, carrot, leek in butter or oil for 2 minutes.
Add bay leaves, hock and ham, saute a few minutes longer.
Add spices and broth, heat to boil, let simmer as long as you like.
Add beans with juice from cans, mix well, heat to boil again then let
simmer until you are ready to eat.

I like to add a capful or two of white vinegar to my bowl, adds a nice
subtle tang!
And that hock is well worth eating in the last bowl! YUM!

[lilbopeep]

thank you i can't wait to try this. its going on my list of "musts"

4 cans Great Northern Beans - what size can?

[Kimchee]

Your regular canned veggie can... 15 oz or something like that.

[Fisher's Mom]

Thank you so much for this, Kimchee! One of my favorite meals is a big pot of navy beans with ham hock and some cornbread, but I've only ever used dry beans. This sounds like it would be the same type of comforting food, but in a fraction of the time. I will be making this soon.

[Rob Babcock]

Same here- I've never used anything but dried beans. I suppose my local grocery stores probably have canned ones, too. When I was growing up my Mom always soaked them overnite, so that's what I do.

[Kimchee]

I have pretty much abandoned cooking my own beans.
After trying most recipes both ways, I have found that
canned beans are just fine. After all, they are just pre-cooked....

Although for my smokey bacon lima beans, I use frozen ones...

[RobsanX]

My mom used to make Senate Bean Soup (http://www.senate.gov/reference/reference_item/bean_soup.htm) all the time. So simple, and soooo good! I need to make it some day, preferably soon!

[lilbopeep]

I have pretty much abandoned cooking my own beans.
After trying most recipes both ways, I have found that
canned beans are just fine. After all, they are just pre-cooked....

Although for my smokey bacon lima beans, I use frozen ones...
ooooooooooo ooooooooooooooo o smokey bacon lima beans (:blush: recipe please)

i agree about the beans.

[Kimchee]

lbpeep, check the Vegetables section for recipe.
It's the only way I will eat limas.

[lilbopeep]

lbpeep, check the Vegetables section for recipe.
It's the only way I will eat limas.
thank you!! i like lima beans. i usually eat them in the frozen mixed veggies.

[homecook]

Ok, dumb question here.........are lima beans the same as navy beans?? Is there a difference?
I always use dry baby limas in my ham and bean soup. I also don't soak them, just cook them with the ham bone/ham hock for about 3 hours.

[lilbopeep]

Ok, dumb question here.........are lima beans the same as navy beans?? Is there a difference?
I always use dry baby limas in my ham and bean soup. I also don't soak them, just cook them with the ham bone/ham hock for about 3 hours.
lima beans are small, flat, green kidney shaped beans

http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/pp48/msmofet/limabeans.jpg

[homecook]

I know what lima beans are, actually they're white when you by them dried............I make the soup all the time........what's the difference in navy beans was my question???

[lilbopeep]

I know what lima beans are, actually they're white when you by them dried............I make the soup all the time........what's the difference in navy beans was my question???
i thought navy beans were pink?

[lilbopeep]

i thought Navy beans were the pink or white beans used in baked beans. limas and navy don't taste alike to me.

[Deelady]

Her some Navy cooked....


http://static.flickr.com/50/129808821_8ef8ce0c44.jpg

[Deelady]

here are some dried Lima....


http://www.dkimages.com/discover/previews/868/45053900.JPG

to me they look flatter and larger than the Navy

[Deelady]

Dried Navy beans....much smaller and whiter

http://www.uclbs.org/tidbits/beans/navybeans.jpg

[homecook]

here are some dried Lima....


http://www.dkimages.com/discover/previews/868/45053900.JPG

to me they look flatter and larger than the Navy

Ok, that makes sense...... I see the navy beans look more like the beans in baked beans. Thank you.

[Deelady]

I've never noticed dried limas in the store before just canned....but then again I've never looked :) I have always liked them though!

[homecook]

The dried come in a bag. They do have large and small limas, navy (which I never paid attention to), red, 7-bean, peas, etc. The only canned I buy are kidney and cannellini beans.

[ChowderMan]

names&pix:

http://www.foodsubs.com/Beans.html

[Deelady]

can't get any more detailed than that!! :D