Senate Bean Soup

Jim_S

Resident Curmudgeon
Gold Site Supporter
Saw a reference to “Senate Bean Soup” in a book and here’s what I found. Both my Grandmother and Mom prepared navy and pinto beans with ham hock and onions. I had no idea that the Senate kitchen copied them! :yum:


https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senate_bean_soup

U.S. Senate Bean Soup or simply Senate bean soup is a soup made with navy beans, ham hocks, and onion. It is served in the dining room of the United States Senate every day, in a tradition that dates back to the early 20th century. The original version included celery, garlic, parsley, and mashed potatoes as well.

. . .

There are two Senate soup recipes:

The Famous Senate Restaurant Bean Soup Recipe
2 pounds dried navy beans
four quarts hot water
1 1/2 pounds smoked ham hocks
1 onion, chopped
2 tablespoons butter
salt and pepper to taste
Wash the navy beans and run hot water through them until they are slightly whitened. Place beans into pot with hot water. Add ham hocks and simmer approximately three hours in a covered pot, stirring occasionally. Remove ham hocks and set aside to cool. Dice meat and return to soup. Lightly brown the onion in butter. Add to soup. Before serving, bring to a boil and season with salt and pepper. Serves 8.[2]

Bean Soup Recipe (for five gallons)
3 pounds dried navy beans
2 pounds of ham and a ham bone
1 quart mashed potatoes
5 onions, chopped
2 stalks of celery, chopped
four cloves garlic, chopped
half a bunch of parsley, chopped
Clean the beans, then cook them dry. Add ham, bone and water and bring to a boil. Add potatoes and mix thoroughly. Add chopped vegetables and bring to a boil. Simmer for one hour before serving.[2]
 
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QSis

Grill Master
Staff member
Gold Site Supporter
Adding mashed potatoes to the soup is an interesting idea.

I don't believe I've ever heard of that. Must thicken the soup quite a bit.

Lee
 

Jim_S

Resident Curmudgeon
Gold Site Supporter
Adding mashed potatoes to the soup is an interesting idea.

I don't believe I've ever heard of that. Must thicken the soup quite a bit.

Lee

I don’t know if I would want it thicker?

Celery and garlic would be good though.
 

Johnny West

Well-known member
Adding mashed potatoes to the soup is an interesting idea.

I don't believe I've ever heard of that. Must thicken the soup quite a bit.

Lee

I add mashed potatoes to clam chowder to thicken, rather than flour.

I'm thinking of making the for the church soup kitchen we do each Wed. We feed about 40 so this will take some adjusting. I was think about pea soup, as well.
 

Luckytrim

Grill Master
Gold Site Supporter
Adding mashed potatoes to the soup is an interesting idea.

I don't believe I've ever heard of that. Must thicken the soup quite a bit.

Lee


My Mother used to thicken her soups with Mashed Potatoes; the Warden used to use "Hungry Jack" for the same result.....
 
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