Mexican Ham And Bean Soup Recipes

Steps:

• Rinse the beans, sorting out any broken or discolored ones. In a large pot over high heat, bring the water to a boil. Add the salt and the beans and remove from heat. Let beans sit in the hot water for at least 60 minutes.
• After the 60 minutes of soaking, return the pot to high heat and place the ham bone, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, mustard and bay leaves in the pot. Stir well, bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for 60 more minutes.
• Remove ham bone and discard. Stir in the chopped ham and simmer for 30 more minutes. Season with ground white pepper to taste.

Steps:

• To "quick soak" beans: Rinse and pick over beans and place in a large pot. Cover with cold water to 2 inches above beans and bring to a boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat, cover and let sit for at least an hour. Alternatively, you can soak your beans overnight, or use rinsed, canned beans.
• "Refresh" the dried chile by placing in very hot water for 15 - 30 minutes. Discard seeds and chop finely.
• Drain beans and put them in a large soup pot with broth, onion, water, ham, and herbs and spices. Bring to a boil, cover lightly, and reduce heat to medium-low.
• If you are using dried beans: Simmer 1 1/2 hours or until beans are tender. Then, stir in tomatoes (including juice if you wish) and "refreshed" chile; simmer an additional 30 minutes.
• If you are using canned (or pre-cooked) beans: you can add the tomato and chile with the other ingredients. Cook for a total of 30 minutes or as long as you wish to develop flavours fully.
• Discard bay leaves.
• Serve in bowls garnished with cilantro and a squeeze of lime.
• This freezes well, just freeze (without lime or cilantro) in 1 or 2 serving portions. Thaw in the fridge or microwave straight from frozen. A squeeze of lime after reheating really "freshens" this up after freezing.

Steps:

• Sort and wash beans; place in large heavy pot.
• Cover with water to 2 inches above beans; bring to boil.
• Cook 2 minutes; remove from heat.
• Cover and let stand for 1 hour.
• Drain.
• Or you may cover the beans with the same amount of water and let stand overnight.
• Drain and proceed as follows.
• Combine beans, broth, and next 8 ingredients (broth through garlic) in the large heavy pan and bring to a boil.
• Partially cover and reduce heat to medium-low.
• Simmer 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until beans are tender.
• Stir in tomatoes, diced chilies,and liquid smoke, if desired.
• Simmer 1 hour.
• Discard bay leaves and serve.
• Ladle soup into bowls and top with 1 tablespoon cheese and 1 tablespoon cilantro.