Country Ham Bean Soup With Smoked Sausage Recipes

Steps:

• 1. Place dried beans in a LARGE pot and pick through to check for stones. Rinse beans, drain and add water to cover by at least 2 inches. Soak at least 8 hours or overnight.
• 2. After soaking, drain beans, rinse, drain again and add 2 quarts water**, flavoring packet (that comes with beans) and 2 envelopes of ham flavoring. Bring to a boil and simmer, uncovered, for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. (Note: you may have to add more water during this step to make sure beans are covered with liquid.) ** OR, INSTEAD OF PLAIN WATER, PLACE A HAM BONE IN A LARGE DUTCH OVEN AND ADD WATER TO COVER HALF OF BONE. ADD 2 BAY LEAVES AND A SLICED ONION TO THE POT. BRING TO A BOIL, REDUCE HEAT. COVER AND SIMMER FOR 1 TO 2 HOURS. REMOVE BONE AND STRAIN BROTH. USE THIS BROTH INSTEAD OF PLAIN WATER. Take any meat off of the bone and add to soup with the rest of the meat as mentioned in Step 3.
• 3. After simmering for 1 hour, add onion, carrot, potato, ham, sausage, bay leaves and 2 more envelopes ham flavoring to pot. Simmer an additional 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring often, until beans are soft and begin to break apart.
• 4. Add chicken broth (enough to make desired consistency) and quick cooking barley (and more ham flavoring if needed). Simmer for 10-15 minutes or until barley is cooked.
• 5. Serve with salad and crusty bread.
• 6. FREEZES WELL!!

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a soup pot over medium-high heat. Cook and stir onion in hot oil until tender, about 5 minutes.
• Season onion with Italian seasoning. Continue to cook and stir for 1 more minute.
• Stir chicken broth, white beans, tomatoes, cabbage, ham, and celery into the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low; simmer until celery and cabbage are tender, 15 to 20 minutes.

Steps:

• Soak beans in cold water to cover, overnight (8 to12 hours). Drain beans and rinse well.
• In a large stockpot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and saute for 5 to 6 minutes, or until browned. Remove the sausage from the skillet and reserve. Add the onions and cook 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, an additional minute.
• Add the browned sausage back to the stockpot. Stir in the beans, bay leaves, and thyme. Add the chicken stock, water, salt, pepper, and cayenne. Bring soup to a boil; reduce heat to a simmer and cook, partially covered for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally. Skim off any fat, as necessary, if desired. (The cook time may vary depending on the beans, but they should be tender and falling apart when finished.)
• Adjust seasonings with salt and pepper, if needed. Using a potato masher or the flat side of a spoon, gently mash the beans against the bottom and sides of the stockpot, leaving some of the beans whole and some mashed. Continue to simmer the soup for 30 minutes, uncovered, or until desired consistency.
• Ladle the soup into bowls. Serve hot, with crusty bread slices.

Steps:

• In a large stock pot, add water, ham bone and pre-soaked beans. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until beans are close to soft.
• Remove bone and cut off remaining meat. Remove 1/3 of beans and mash with potato masher or food processor.
• Return ham and beans back to stock pot and add onion, carrots, celery, garlic powder, pepper and paprika. If you are using dripping from a previously cooked ham add those now. Simmer until vegetables are tender and serve.

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, cook and crumble sausage with onion and garlic over medium heat until no longer pink, 5-7 minutes; drain., Stir in beans, tomatoes, basil and broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, 10 minutes. Serve with cheese.