SPORTSMAN'S BEAN SOUP

Sportsman's Bean Soup image

I've been cooking and freezing soups and stews for 45 years. This hearty, wholesome soup is one of my wife's favorites. The way to a woman's heart is through her stomach, too.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Lunch

Time 2h45m

Yield 27 servings (6-3/4 quarts).

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

2 pounds dried navy beans
3 large onions, chopped
2 tablespoons butter
4 medium carrots, chopped
2 smoked ham hocks
1 tablespoon marinade for chicken
12 orange peel strips (1 to 3 inches)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
2 bay leaves
3 cups cubed fully cooked ham
1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1/4 cup cider vinegar

Steps:

Sort beans and rinse with cold water. Place in a stockpot; add water to cover by 2 in. Bring to a boil; boil for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat; cover and let stand for 1-4 hours or until beans are softened. , Drain and rinse beans; discard liquid and set beans aside. In the same pan, saute onions in butter until tender. Add carrots; saute 4-5 minutes longer., Add the ham hocks, marinade for chicken, orange peel, salt, thyme, bay leaves, beans and enough water to cover by 2 in. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 2 hours or until beans are tender., Remove ham hocks; when cool enough to handle, remove meat from bones. Discard bones and cut meat into cubes; return to the soup. Add the additional ham, tomatoes and vinegar; heat through. Discard bay leaves and orange peel before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 178 calories, Fat 4g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 15mg cholesterol, Sodium 365mg sodium, Carbohydrate 26g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 6g fiber), Protein 11g protein. Diabetic Exchanges