HAM & BEAN SOUP

Y’all will have to forgive my lack of photos for this amazing, old time soup; but I promise it will be worth your time and effort to make this classic bowl and belly filler!

Here’s what you need:

• 1 bag great northern beans
• 1 ham steak
• 1 onion
• season salt
• garlic powder
• onion powder
• salt & pepper
• water

This soup is so easy to put together. You’ll start by rinsing your beans and chopping your onion. In a large soup pot (I like to use my dutch oven) place your uncooked ham steak, onions, beans and enough water to cover. Season to your liking with the seasons I listed above. Put pot on stove and bring to a slow boil, reduce to a medium low heat and put a lid on it. Allow to cook slowly for 2-3 hours, stirring often. As soup cooks, the water will decrease and the liquid will thicken. Make sure you don’t let the pot go dry, but don’t add too much water or you’ll have runny soup. I just add water with a drinking glass as needed. When soup is done, the ham will just break apart, be sure to remove any bone that may have been present in the ham.

This soup pairs best with skillet fried potatoes and cornbread. Granny always served her soup this way with a bundle of fresh green onions. Down home cooking at its best! Enjoy.