Description
Ham and Bean Soup
Ingredients:
2 cups white beans, soaked overnight
1 cup cooked ham, diced
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
4 cups chicken broth
1 bay leaf
1 tsp dried thyme
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions:
1. Prepare Beans:
Drain and rinse the soaked beans. Set aside.
2. Sauté Vegetables:
In a large pot, sauté onion, garlic, carrots, and celery until softened.
3. Add Ingredients:
Add beans, ham, chicken broth, bay leaf, and thyme to the pot. Bring to a boil.
4. Simmer:
Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 1-1.5 hours, or until beans are tender. Stir occasionally.
5. Season:
Remove the bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Serve:
Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot. Enjoy!
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these detailed instructions for a foolproof, flavorful soup.
- Bean Prep: After soaking beans overnight, drain and rinse them thoroughly in a colander. This removes indigestible sugars that cause gas.
- Flavor Base (Soffritto): In your large soup pot, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5-7 minutes until they begin to soften. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
- Build the Soup: Add the rinsed beans, diced ham, chicken broth, bay leaf, and dried thyme to the pot. Stir to combine.
- Low & Slow Simmer: Bring the soup to a rolling boil, then immediately reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot with a lid, leaving a small crack to prevent boiling over. Simmer gently for 1 to 1.5 hours. The soup is ready when the beans are completely tender and creamy.
- Final Seasoning: Turn off the heat. Carefully remove and discard the bay leaf. Taste the soup before adding any salt, as the ham and broth may be salty already. Add black pepper and salt only if needed.
- Texture Choice: For a thicker, creamier soup, use a potato masher or immersion blender to lightly puree about one cup of the soup right in the pot. Stir it back in to thicken the broth.
Serving Suggestions
Elevate your simple soup into a hearty meal. Serve it in a deep bowl with a side of crusty bread, garlic toast, or cornbread for dipping. A light, crisp side salad with a vinaigrette dressing balances the soup’s richness. For extra freshness, top with the chopped parsley, a squeeze of lemon juice, or a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.
How-to Summary
Soak beans overnight. Sauté onion, carrot, celery, and garlic. Add beans, ham, broth, bay leaf, and thyme. Simmer covered for 1-1.5 hours until beans are tender. Season with salt and pepper, garnish, and serve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use canned beans instead of dried? Yes. Drain and rinse two (15-oz) cans of white beans. Add them in the last 20 minutes of simmering to prevent them from becoming mushy.
I forgot to soak the beans. What can I do? Use the quick-soak method: cover beans with water in a pot, boil for 2 minutes, remove from heat, cover, and let sit for 1 hour. Drain and proceed.
How can I make this soup vegetarian? Omit the ham and use vegetable broth. Add 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika to mimic the ham’s smoky flavor.
How should I store and reheat leftovers? Store cooled soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop, adding a splash of broth or water if it has thickened too much.
Can I freeze this soup? Absolutely. Freeze in portion-sized containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Adding Salt Too Early: Salting the broth at the beginning can toughen the bean skins. Always season at the end.
- Boiling Too Vigorously: A hard boil will break the beans and make the soup cloudy. Maintain a gentle, low simmer.
- Skipping the Sauté: Sautéing the vegetables builds a foundational flavor (sofrito) that you cannot achieve by simply boiling them in the broth.
- Using Old Beans: Dried beans older than two years may never soften properly. Purchase from a store with high turnover.
Conclusion
This classic Ham and Bean Soup is the epitome of comforting, homemade cooking. It’s a flexible recipe that rewards a little patience with deep, satisfying flavors. By following the step-by-step guide and avoiding common pitfalls, you’ll create a nourishing pot of soup perfect for any day. Don’t forget to experiment with the serving suggestions to make it your own. Enjoy this timeless, hearty dish.