Pioneer Womans Ham And Bean Soup Recipes

PIONEER WOMAN'S HAM AND BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• Rinse the beans after sorting through them.
• Place the beans in a large bowl and cover them with water by two inches.
• Allow them to soak overnight.
• After draining the beans, place them in a pot with the water and chicken stock.
• Heat on the stove until they are boiling and then reduce the heat to a simmer.
• Meanwhile, cook the ham in a large skillet set over medium heat until brown and just barely crisp.
• Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels.
• Add half to two-thirds of the ham to the beans and reserve the rest for garnish.
• Wipe out the skillet and return it to medium heat. Add the onions, carrots, and celery to the skillet.
• Season the vegetables with salt and ground black pepper to taste, and cook for about 3 to 4 minutes, until they start to soften.
• Stir in garlic and tomato paste, and cook for a few more minutes.
• Next, add the vegetables to the beans.
• Give it a stir and add the bay leaf.
• Let the beans simmer on low (to medium-low) for about 1 1/2 hours until tender.
• If the liquid level drops too low, add a cup of broth.
• As soon as it's ready to serve, taste the soup and add more salt and pepper if needed.
• Add the tomatoes if using.
• Chop the reserved ham and stir into the soup. Serve garnished with a sprinkle of chopped parsley.