White Bean and Ham Soup

By Lynnturnips2

A Hearty and Satisfying Soup~

Ingredients

• 1 pound dried great northern beans
• 1 meaty ham bone or 2 smoked ham hocks
• 8 cups vegetable broth
• 6 cups water
• 3 medium carrots, sliced
• 3 celery ribs, diced
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small green pepper, seeded, chopped
• 1 small red pepper, seeded, chopped
• 1 can (14 1/2 oz) diced fire-roasted tomatoes
• 3 bay leaves
• 1 t dried basil
• 2 t creole seasoning
• 1/4 t pepper
• 2 T dried parsley flakes
• 2 t liquid smoke, optional

Preparation

Step 1

Place beans in a Dutch oven or soup kettle; add enough water to cover by 2 inches. Bring to a boil; boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat; cover and let stand for 1 hour. Drain and rinse beans; return to Dutch oven or soup kettle; add ham bone or ham hocks. Add vegetable broth and water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 2 hours. Add carrots, celery, onion, garlic, green pepper, red pepper and can of fire roasted diced tomatoes. Add seasonings and liquid smoke, if using. Simmer 1 hour longer. Remove meat and bones from soup. Remove meat from bones; dice and return to kettle. Heat through. Discard bay leaves before serving.