WHITE BEAN AND HAM HOCK SOUP WITH ARUGULA AND CORN BREAD CROUTONS

White Bean and Ham Hock Soup with Arugula and Corn Bread Croutons image

Yield Makes 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

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For soup
1 lb dried small white beans such as navy or Great Northern
1 lb smoked ham hocks
1/4 cup bacon drippings (from 1/2lb bacon) or olive oil
2 cups chopped onion
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 lb tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and diced
4 fresh thyme sprigs
8 cups chicken broth
For corn bread croutons
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 garlic clove, minced
3 cups 3/4-inch cubes corn bread
1 lb arugula, coarse stems removed
Tabasco to taste

Steps:

Make soup:
Soak beans in cold water to cover overnight (8 hours). Drain and rinse well.
Simmer ham hocks in 6 cups water in a 3-quart saucepan, partially covered, skimming foam as necessary, 1 hour. Reserve 4 cups cooking liquid and drain ham hocks.
Heat bacon drippings in an 8-quart heavy pot over moderate heat until hot but not smoking, then cook onion and garlic, stirring, until softened. Add tomatoes and thyme and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add soaked beans, broth, ham hocks, and reserved cooking liquid and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until beans are tender, about 1 hour.
Make croutons while soup simmers:
Preheat oven to 375°F.
Melt butter with garlic and toss together with corn bread cubes in a shallow baking pan. Toast in middle of oven until lightly browned and crisp on the outside, about 15 minutes.
Prepare soup for serving:
Remove ham hocks and shred meat. Return meat to soup and stir in arugula. Simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until greens are tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and Tabasco.
Serve soup topped with croutons.