Description
A hearty and comforting ham bean soup loaded with flavors and nutrients.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, for sautéing
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 3 stalks celery, diced
- 3 medium-large carrots, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 2 quarts water (or 1 quart water + 1 quart chicken broth)
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 ham hock / ham bone (optional)
- 20 – 24 ounces chopped or pulled cooked ham pieces
- 3 15-ounce cans Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
- 5 ounces fresh baby spinach leaves
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- Salt, to taste (optional)
Instructions
- Simmer & Savor: Start cooking by putting everything into a pot and covering it. Let it simmer on low heat for about 30 minutes, ensuring you catch a warm, hearty aroma wafting through your kitchen. This step helps the flavors mingle beautifully, but do not let it boil too hard; it can ruin the texture of the beans.
- Check & Adjust Flavor: After about 30 minutes, conduct a taste test. You should get a blend of savory ham and earthy beans that warms you up. If it is too salty, consider adding a bit of unsalted broth or water. Just make sure you do not skip this step; it is where you can really fine-tune the flavor.
- Mash for Thickness: If you prefer your soup thicker, use a masher or fork to gently mash some beans right in the pot. This should give you a nice creaminess that coats the spoon. Just remember not to go overboard; too much mashing can turn it into paste instead of soup.
- Cool & Serve: Once it has reached a consistency you love, let the soup cool a bit before serving. Scoop it into bowls and enjoy the warmth and comfort it brings. Do not rush this part; letting it sit for a moment can help prevent burns and improves the flavors.
Notes
- Storage Tips: Let soup cool to room temperature, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Expert Tips: If the beans are not getting tender, try simmering the soup for an extra 15 minutes and check again.
- For a richer flavor, taste the broth before adding salt to avoid overpowering the dish.
- If the soup is a bit watery, mashing about 1 cup of beans can help thicken it up nicely.
- When using dry beans, soaking them overnight can help reduce cooking time and ensure tenderness.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve with crusty sourdough bread.
- Pair with a fresh garden salad.
- Add cornbread muffins on the side.
- Recipe Variations: Use different greens like collard greens instead of spinach.
- Incorporate diced potatoes for added heartiness.
- Experiment with different beans such as black beans or pinto beans.
- Ingredient Notes: Select quality ham and fresh vegetables for the best flavor.
- For substitutions, instead of a ham hock, you can use 1 lb ham steak cut into pieces.
- If you do not have canned beans, you can substitute with 1 lb dry white beans, soaking and cooking according to instructions. Use low-sodium options for broth to minimize salt.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 368
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 708mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 9g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 70mg