Congressional Bean Soup Grandmas Recipes

Steps:

• Place the beans in a slow cooker with enough water to cover, and soak 6 to 8 hours, or overnight.
• Drain the beans, and return to the slow cooker. Cover with water, and mix in the carrots, potatoes, celery, onion, and ham.
• Cover slow cooker, and cook soup on High for 3 1/2 hours. Switch to Low, and continue cooking at least 6 1/2 hours. The longer it cooks the more flavorful it becomes.

Steps:

• Rinse and sort beans. Place beans in a Dutch oven or soup kettle; add water to cover by 2 in. Bring to a boil; boil for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat; cover and let stand for 1 to 4 hours or until beans are softened., Drain and rinse, discarding liquid. In a large Dutch oven or soup kettle, place the beans, ham bone or hocks and 3 quarts water. Bring to boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 2 hours., Skim fat if necessary. Add the onions, garlic, celery, parsley, potatoes, salt and pepper; simmer 1 hour longer., Set aside ham bones until cool enough to handle. Remove meat from bones; discard bones. Cut meat into bite-sized pieces and return to Dutch oven. Heat through. Sprinkle with parsley or chives.

Steps:

• Put the beans in a large bowl and cover with about 3 times their volume of cold water. Soak overnight in a cool place.
• Drain the beans and transfer to a large pot or Dutch oven. Add 10 cups water and the ham. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low and cook until the beans are tender, about 1 hour, 30 minutes. Transfer the ham to a plate to cool slightly, then remove the bone, if used, and dice the meat. Return the meat to the pot.
• Meanwhile, cover the potato with water in a saucepan and season with salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat and simmer until the potato is fork-tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Drain the potato; transfer to a bowl with the milk and mash with a potato masher or fork until smooth. Add the mashed potato to the bean soup and stir until combined.
• Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, garlic and parsley and cook until the vegetables are translucent, 7 to 10 minutes. Add the vegetable mixture to the soup, reduce the heat to low and cook 1 hour, adding up to 2 more cups water if the soup is too thick. Season with salt and pepper.

Steps:

• 1. Originally Grandma made this soup in a stock pot. Later she and my Mom it in a crock pot. Since that easier I have used the crock pot directions.
• 2. Place all ingredients in Crock-Pot. Cover and cook on low 8-10 hours or until beans are tender. Adjust seasonings. These beans can be bland so more spices may be to your liking. Serve hot with corn bread.
• 3. Remove bay leaf and ham bone if used. Serve hot with corn bread.

Steps:

• Take two pounds of small Michigan navy beans, wash and run through hot water until beans are white again.
• Put on the fire with four quarts of hot water.
• Then add smoked ham hocks, boil slowly approximately 3 hours in covered pot.
• Braise one chopped onion in a little butter, and when light brown put it into the soup.
• Season with salt and pepper then serve.
• Do not add salt until ready to serve.