How to Make a Comforting and Flavorful Ham and Bean Soup at Home – Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 pound dried navy beans, rinsed and soaked overnight
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 ham hock or 2 cups of diced ham
• 6 cups of chicken broth
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions:

1. Drain and rinse the soaked navy beans and set aside.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
3. Add the chopped onion and garlic to the pot and sauté for 5 minutes or until the onion is soft.
4. Add the chopped carrots and celery to the pot and sauté for another 5 minutes.
5. Add the ham hock or diced ham to the pot and sauté for another 5 minutes.
6. Add the chicken broth, navy beans, bay leaves, thyme, salt, and black pepper to the pot and bring to a boil.
7. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender.
8. After 2-3 hours, remove the bay leaves and the ham hock or use an immersion blender to blend the diced ham into the soup.
9. Serve the ham and bean soup hot with some crusty bread on the side.