U.S. SENATE BEAN SOUP

U.S. Senate Bean Soup image

Chock-full of ham, beans and celery, this hearty soup makes a wonderful meal at any time of year. Freeze the bone from a holiday ham until you're ready to make soup. Plus, once prepared, it freezes well for a great make-ahead supper! -Rosemarie Forcum White Stone, Virginia

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 4h15m

Yield 10 servings (2-1/2 quarts).

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

1 pound dried great northern beans
1 meaty ham bone or 2 smoked ham hocks
3 medium onions, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
3 celery ribs, chopped
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
1 cup mashed potatoes or 1/3 cup instant potato flakes
Salt and pepper to taste
Minced parsley or chives

Steps:

Rinse and sort beans. 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 to 4 hours or until beans are softened., Drain and rinse, discarding liquid. In a large Dutch oven or soup kettle, place the beans, ham bone or hocks and 3 quarts water. Bring to boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 2 hours., Skim fat if necessary. Add the onions, garlic, celery, parsley, potatoes, salt and pepper; simmer 1 hour longer., Set aside ham bones until cool enough to handle. Remove meat from bones; discard bones. Cut meat into bite-sized pieces and return to Dutch oven. Heat through. Sprinkle with parsley or chives.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 229 calories, Fat 3g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 12mg cholesterol, Sodium 83mg sodium, Carbohydrate 37g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 10g fiber), Protein 14g protein.