Saturday, October 17, 2009

Another Classic Soup

Can you tell I like soup? And beans? This is a classic - it is on the menu everyday at the U.S. Senate - since the early 1900's! And our philosophy around here is "what isn't better with toast?"

Senate Bean Soup serves 4-6

1 pound dried beans (original is navy, but I get Rancho Gordo's Yellow Eye or Marrow are my favorites, but today I had Cannellinis on hand and they were really good too - they all give different textures but the main thing is that it is a small white bean)
1 meaty smoked ham hock
1 small onion finely chopped
s&p

I rinse the beans then place in a crock pot (if you don't have one just cook on low for about 1 hour and half to 2 hours) along with the ham and onion and about 6-8 cups of water; start with 6 and add more if needed. Now some say you should only add salt after the beans are soft, so that's what I do. It should take about 4-6 hours on low in the crock pot - if you really don't have one, think about investing - it's only about $19 at target - you don't really need the fancy ones. Anyway remove the ham bone and pick off the meat and put the ham pieces back in with beans; s&p to taste when the beans are soft. Serve with toast!!!

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