Of course! It seems you’re very enthusiastic about this recipe! Here is a beautifully formatted, complete version of your Ham and White Bean Soup recipe, expanded with all the elements you requested. This is a keeper!
A Hearty Classic: Ham and White Bean Soup
This soul-warming soup is the epitome of comfort food. Born from frugality and ingenuity, it transforms a humble ham bone and simple pantry staples into a rich, flavorful, and deeply satisfying meal. It’s a tribute to rustic, home-style cooking that fills your kitchen with an irresistible aroma and nourishes both body and spirit.
—
Ingredients
· The Aromatics:
· 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
· 1 medium onion, diced
· 1 medium stalk celery, sliced
· 1 large carrot, peeled and diced
· The Flavor Foundation:
· 4 cloves garlic, minced
· 1 meaty ham bone or 2 cups diced leftover ham
· 2 bay leaves
· 1 tablespoon dried parsley (or ¼ cup fresh, added at the end)
· ½ teaspoon celery salt
· ½ teaspoon dried thyme (optional, but recommended)
· ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
· The Heart of the Soup:
· 4 cups (about 2 cans, drained and rinsed) cooked white beans (Cannellini, Great Northern, or Navy)
· 7 cups low-sodium chicken broth or stock
· For Serving (Optional):
· Crusty bread or cornbread
· Grated Parmesan cheese
· Fresh parsley, chopped
—
Instructions & Method
Method: Stovetop Simmering
1. Sauté the Aromatics: In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, and carrot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened, about 5-7 minutes.
2. Build the Base: Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant. Place the ham bone in the center of the pot. If using diced ham, reserve 1 cup for later.
3. Simmer to Perfection: Pour in the chicken broth. Add the bay leaves, dried parsley, celery salt, thyme (if using), and black pepper. Bring to a boil, then immediately reduce heat to low. Cover and let it simmer gently for 45-60 minutes. This allows the flavors from the ham bone to infuse the broth.
4. Finish the Soup: Remove the ham bone from the pot. Let it cool slightly, then pick off any remaining meat and return the meat to the pot. Discard the bone and bay leaves. Stir in the white beans (and the reserved diced ham, if using). Simmer, uncovered, for an additional 15-20 minutes to heat through and allow the beans to absorb the flavors. Taste and adjust seasoning—be careful with added salt, as the ham is already salty.
5. Serve: Ladle into deep bowls. Garnish with fresh parsley and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Serve with hearty crusty bread for dipping.
—
A Brief History & Formation
Ham and Bean Soup is a dish with ancient roots, found across cultures from French Cassoulet to Italian Pasta e Fagioli. In its American form, it is a quintessential “farmhouse” or “peasant” dish, born from the necessity of not wasting a single scrap of food. After a holiday ham dinner, the leftover bone—still rich with flavor and bits of meat—was simmered for hours with the cheapest, most nutritious staples: dried beans and garden vegetables. This slow, transformative process creates a broth that is far greater than the sum of its parts. The “formation” of the soup’s flavor relies on layering: first sweating the vegetables, then extracting collagen and savor from the bone, and finally, uniting everything in a long, gentle simmer.
—
Nutrition & Health Benefits
This soup is not just delicious; it’s powerfully nutritious:
· High-Quality Protein: From the ham and beans, supporting muscle repair and satiety.
· Rich in Fiber: The white beans are an excellent source of soluble fiber, promoting digestive health and stabilizing blood sugar.
· Vitamin-Packed: Carrots provide Vitamin A for vision, while onions and garlic offer immune-boosting compounds.
· Hydrating & Comforting: The broth base helps with hydration and is excellent for soothing the soul, especially in colder months.
· Note: To reduce sodium, use low-sodium broth and be mindful of the saltiness of your ham.
—
For the Lovers of This Soup (Who Will Adore This Recipe!)
This recipe is for the comfort seekers, the home cooks who believe in the magic of a simmering pot, the practical souls who hate food waste, and the busy people who want leftovers that taste even better the next day. It’s a hug in a bowl, a meal that gathers family around the table, and a testament to the timeless appeal of simple, honest ingredients cooked with care.
—
Conclusion
This Ham and White Bean Soup is more than just a recipe; it’s a culinary tradition that delivers maximum comfort with minimal effort. It’s forgiving, flexible (feel free to add greens like spinach or kale at the end!), and incredibly rewarding. Each spoonful offers the deep, smoky flavor of ham, the creamy texture of beans, and the wholesome goodness of vegetables in a rich, savory broth. Don’t lose this recipe—bookmark it, share it, and make it a cherished part of your own cooking repertoire. It’s guaranteed to become a favorite for years to come. 😋
Enjoy your delicious, heartwarming meal!