Smoky Ham and Bean Soup

by Breanna
(Nashville)

Heres another really good ham and bean soup recipe that you should try.

You will need:

1 Ham hock(I prefer a hickory-smoked hock)
1 pound Dark red kidney beans (canned is alright, but dried are preferred)
1/2 pound yukon gold baby potatoes
3 stalks celery
1/3 pound green beans (not french-cut, I prefer the snap kind)
10 cups water
Black pepper to taste
White pepper to taste
3 bay leaves
Salt to taste (optional)
Nutmeg to taste (optional)
Parsley or mint garnish, fresh


Cookware:
1 Crock Pot


Preparation:

Prepare the dark red kidney beans as usual (rinse, boil, simmer, drain)
Chunk the ham (slightly larger pieces than cubes, not as precise)
Rinse the potatoes and cut into cubes
Slice the celery stalks into approx. 1/4" width slices
Rinse and snap green beans, clearing of the ends. Pieces should be approximately 2" long

Add water, bay leaves, pepper to taste, ham, beans, potatoes, celery, and green beans to crock pot (nutmeg and salt optional) and simmer for 8 hours at a lower heat. Once finished, serve with parsley or mint garnish!