Ham & Bean Soup

We just had our first real touch of fall this past weekend...

It was fabulous!

In fact, it caused me to make a big pot of ham& bean soup...

There's nothing like comfort food especially on a Sunday...

It's very simple to make & it fills the house with a wonderful aroma...

Here is what you need:

A large pot

1-lb of Great Northern Beans

10 cups of water

Bring this to a boil and then turn down the heat and let them simmer 

for about 30 minutes give or take...

This starts the softening process...

While the beans are doing their thing...

You can cut up:

 3-4 carrots depending on their size

3 stalks of celery

and

1 large onion

Have your ham hocks ready...

This really adds great flavor...

I use about 2-1/2 heaping tablespoons

Now...

Add your ham hocks, the ham base

and two cans of chicken broth...

Bring to a boil...

Then turn the heat to medium low...

Tent your lid...

And let the magic begin...

I add the vege mixture in a few hours after it has been cooking...

It needs to cook for about 5 hours...

Your mouth will water everytime you come inside

and are greeted by the simmering smell...

When it is ready...
Take the ham hocks out...
Add about 2 large pinches of salt & pepper...
Cut up some ham...
(because the ham hocks really don't have any meat on them)
I buy a package of pre-sliced ham (like the Hormel 51)
Not lunch meat...You will find this ham in the meat section...
You won't use all of it so I saved the rest for the quiche 
that I'm making one day this week...

Give it all a stir...

Ladle it into bowls

and enjoy!

What's your favorite comfort food?

Modified recipe via Southern Lady...