Neighborhood Ham and Bean Soup

This is a great recipe, much like what I have done for years but it is nice to have it written down as I always kind of wing it so you never know how it will come out :) I do add potato flakes (instant potatoes) just a few minutes before serving to thicken it up. I learned that trick years ago & use it with several soup recipes. Thanks for a good comfort food recipe!!

I’ve probably made this recipe at least 20 times and it’s always delicious! The only change I make is to bring the beans, ham, water and broth to a boil, skim the foam then add seasonings. If I add seasonings first some of them get skimmed off with the foam. I don’t add the potatoes. I always freeze some and it reheats well. (The beans don’t hold their shape too well but still tastes great!) I do make it every Halloween (today)... it’s a simple supper for fall nights and easy to eat between answering the doorbell!

Just finished making and tasting this recipe. Fabulous!!! It is really worth taking the time to make this recipe. I know many people shy away from using dried beans, but the method that this member used in the recipe is fool-proof. By using dried beans you control what your family eats! I'll be using some of this soup this week and then freezing the rest in portion sizes to take for lunches. I did make some notations: (1) Omitted the chicken bouillon granules, (2) Added 1 tsp dried celery seeds, (3)Omitted the "handful of chopped celery leaves," (4)Cooking time at step number five was reduced to 1 hour because beans were soft, (5) Used the recommended low sodium chicken broth, (6) Used 2 larged potatoes, cut into cubes, (7)Briefly used an immersion blender to thicken up the soup. and (8) Reversed steps number seven and eight. In other words, I deboned ham and cut into chunks and then covered and simmered for an addional hour. The member listed cooking time of 4-6 hours. I was probably at 2 1/2 hours (not including soaking the beans for 1 hour). ADD: This recipe made 13 2/3 cups of soup using my notations. NOTE: If you don't have a meaty ham bone, you could subtitute 2 cups of diced ham in this recipe. If this is the case, I would add the ham at the same time you add the onions, carrots and celery.

Delicious soup! Didn't have ham bone, so used diced ham. Didn't have savory, so used 2 bay leaves. Used diced frozen potatoes. Caramelized the "holy trinity" before adding to soup. AWESOME RECIPE.

This was lovely and so easy to make! I followed the directions up until putting it all together. Then I put it in my crock pot and let it go for 8 hours. Smells wonderful and didn't need any additional seasoning when in the bowl. I didn't have ham bone, so I just used diced ham put in from the start. Thank you for some nice lunches!