Basic Ham and Bean Soup

Hearty ham and bean soup with lots of vegetables and seasonings. This recipe is easy to make and a great way to use a leftover ham bone.

Ingredients

• 8 cups water
• 1 pound dry great northern beans, sorted and rinsed
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup chopped carrots
• 1 cup chopped onion
• ½ stalk celery, chopped
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon mustard powder
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 ham hock
• 2 cups chopped ham
• ½ teaspoon ground white pepper, or to taste

Directions

1. Place water and beans in a large pot; bring to a boil over high heat. Stir in salt and remove the pot from heat; cover, and let stand for 1 hour.
2. Add carrots, onion, celery, garlic, mustard, and bay leaves to the pot with beans; stir well. Add ham hock and bring to a boil; reduce heat to low and simmer for 1 hour.
3. Remove ham hock and discard. Stir in chopped ham and simmer for 30 minutes. Season with ground white pepper to taste.