White Bean and Ham Soup
Indulge yourself in the sophistication of this White Bean and Ham Soup. It's a harmony of Great Northern beans and smoky, savory ham that evokes the warmth of homemade cooking. Each spoonful is a tribute, to simplicity and richness with tender vegetables and a mixture of herbs infusing the comforting broth. This isn't any soup; it's a bowl of solace carefully simmered to bring out flavors that remind us of family gatherings, joyous laughter around the dining table and the pure delight of a well-nurtured life. It's more than a recipe, for nourishing our bodies; it also stirs our souls with every flavorful bite.
8 Servings
Ingredients
- 20 oz dried Great Northern Beans
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium sweet onion diced
- 3 stalks celery chopped
- 2 carrots diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 8 c water
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 c cooked diced ham
- 1 tbsp salt
- 2 tsp ground pepper
Instructions
- Start off by rinsing 20 ounces of dried Great Northern Beans under cold water to get rid of any dust or debris. Set them aside for now.
- Take one sweet onion, three stalks of celery and two carrots and dice them into bite-sized pieces. Finely mince two cloves of garlic.
- In a stockpot heat up one tablespoon of olive oil, over medium heat. Add the onion, celery and carrots to the pot. Sauté them until they become soft which should take approximately five minutes.
- Next, add the minced garlic to the pot. Cook it along with the vegetables for 30 seconds until it becomes fragrant.
- Pour eight cups of water into the pot. Mix in two teaspoons of seasoning along with the prepared beans. Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a boil before reducing it to maintain a simmer. Cover the pot with a lid.
- Allow the beans to cook for two hours while stirring every hour until they become mostly tender.
- Now stir in two cups of cooked ham, one tablespoon of salt and two teaspoons of ground pepper, into the soup. Let it continue simmering for 30 minutes to an hour until the beans are completely soft and all flavors are well combined.
- Before you serve the soup you can make adjustments, to its thickness by adding water or chicken stock if necessary. Don't forget to taste it and add salt or pepper if you think it needs it.
Notes
Attention all spoon-wielding warriors of the wheat-free world: Your quest for the ultimate gluten-free comfort dish ends with this White Bean and Ham Soup! This recipe, in its soul-warming glory, is naturally gluten-free, hugging your taste buds without the embrace of gluten. Just ensure your ham is not processed with additives that contain gluten, often lurking in pre-packaged deli meats. For an extra layer of caution, cozy up to your local butcher for freshly cut, certified gluten-free ham to ensure your soup is a safe haven for your dietary needs.