Senate Bean Soup Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 pound dried navy beans, rinsed
• 8 cups water
• 1 smoked ham hock or 1 pound smoked ham, diced
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions

1. 1.Soak the Beans

   Place the rinsed navy beans in a large bowl and cover with cold water. Let them soak for at least 8 hours, or overnight. Alternatively, use the quick-soak method: place beans in a pot, cover with water, bring to a boil, and simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand for 1 hour.

2. 2.Combine Ingredients

   Drain and rinse the soaked beans. In a large pot or Dutch oven, combine the beans, water, ham hock (or diced ham), onion, carrots, celery, thyme, pepper, and salt.

3. 3.Simmer

   Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 2 hours, or until the beans are tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

4. 4.Remove Ham Hock (if using)

   If using a ham hock, remove it from the pot. Shred the meat from the ham hock and return the shredded meat to the soup. Discard the bone and skin.

5. 5.Thicken (optional)

   For a thicker soup, mash some of the beans against the side of the pot with a spoon or use an immersion blender to partially blend the soup. Be careful not to over-blend, as you want to retain some texture.

6. 6.Finish and Serve

   Stir in the butter. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired. Serve hot.

Nutritional Information

Equipment

• Large bowl
• Large pot or Dutch oven
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Immersion blender (optional)

Tips

• For a vegetarian version, omit the ham hock or smoked ham and use vegetable broth instead of water. Add smoked paprika for a smoky flavor.
• Add a bay leaf to the soup while simmering for extra flavor. Remember to remove it before serving.
• The soup tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together.
• Adjust the amount of salt to your preference, as the ham can be quite salty.

Frequently Asked Questions