Ham and Bean Soup

We have ham at Christmas time and then I freeze the ham bone to make Ham and Bean Soup. Mine turns out really thick though more stew consistency than soup. I am not sure I have ever had ham and bean soup that was really soupy so not sure if I am doing it right or not but it tastes good.

Since we weren't here on Christmas though we had ham on New Years so that I can still make Ham and Bean soup. That ham bone is in the freezer and I am know it is about time to be making it. It hits me usually the end of January or the beginning of February where it is just so cold that comfort food is calling my name.

I use the following brand of beans and they used to have 15 bean mix with the ham flavoring packet it in it. But they have a Cajun packet in it now. So I switched to the Great Northern Beans. And have done it with the great northern before I just prefer the 15 bean mix. I get this brand of beans at Wal-Mart but have seen them at other grocery stores too.



1 lb bag of dried white beans (great northern) or 15 bean mix
1 onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1 can chopped tomatoes with liquid (small or large can)(optional)
4 carrots - peeled and chopped (optional)
2 celery stalks - chopped (optional)
1 bay leaf
2 cups chopped ham or a 1 lb ham hock
pepper to taste
5 cups chicken stock or water

Soak beans over night in water. Rinse and remove debris before using. Add all ingredients to slow cooker. And cook for 8 hours until beans have reached the desired tenderness. Take out bone and if any meat still attached shred into pot. Remove bay leaf. Serve.



NOTES:
* If you use HamBeen's, you can add the packet with the rest of the ingredients. I would then use water instead of chicken stock as the packet with the stock adds a lot of salt. And the stock is used for flavor but the packet adds your flavor for you.

* Tomatoes, Carrots and celery are optional ingredients because often I just use what I have on hand. And sometimes I don't have them and the ham and bean soup taste just as good.

* If it is too watery for you, take out 1/4 of a cup to 1/2 cup of beans and smash them. Add a little flour to the beans and then mix in some water or milk before adding back into the crockpot. It usually takes 15 to 30 mins for it to thicken up some.

* If it is too thick, add more water.

* Leftovers freeze well