HAM AND BEAN CHOWDER

Ham and Bean Chowder image

Meet the Cook: We also call this 2-Day Bean Chowder, since it can be started in the afternoon, chilled overnight and finished off the next day - if you can wait to taste it! -Joe Ann Heavrin, Memphis, Tennessee

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Lunch

Time 2h40m

Yield 14 servings (3-1/4 quarts).

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

1 pound dried great northern beans
2 cups chopped onion
1 cup sliced celery
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 tablespoons butter
1 meaty ham bone
2 cups water
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) chicken broth
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) stewed tomatoes
2 bay leaves
2 whole cloves
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 cups whole milk
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Steps:

Place beans in a Dutch oven or soup kettle; add water to cover by 2-in. Bring to a boil; boil for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat; cover and let stand for 1 hour. , Drain beans and discard liquid. In the same kettle, saute onion, celery and garlic in butter until tender. Add beans, ham bone, water, broth, tomatoes, bay leaves, cloves and pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 2 hours. , Remove ham bone, bay leaves and cloves. When cool enough to handle, remove ham from bone; cut into small pieces and return to soup. Chill for 8 hours or overnight. , Skim fat from soup. Stir in milk; cool on low until heated through. Just before serving, stir in cheese.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 255 calories, Fat 10g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 36mg cholesterol, Sodium 332mg sodium, Carbohydrate 27g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 7g fiber), Protein 15g protein.