Delta Bean and Ham Soup

The Glory of Southern Cooking

• Ready In: 3 hrs 30 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 2  cups dried kidney beans
• 2  quarts chicken broth
• 1  onion, chopped
• 1  small green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 -2  garlic clove, minced
• 1⁄2 cup  diced lean country ham (or tasso ham)
• 2  teaspoons chili powder
• 1  teaspoon dried oregano
•  salt
•  fresh ground black pepper

Directions

1. Add beans to a bowl with enough water to cover; let soak overnight.
2. Drain, rinse, and pick over beans; place in a large soup pot; add in broth.
3. Bring to a boil, decrease heat to low, cover, and simmer 1 hour.
4. Add all the remaining ingredients to the pot; bring soup back to a simmer, cover, and cook 2 hours.
5. In a blender or food processor, puree about ¼ of the soup, return to the pot, and stir well.
6. Heat the soup thoroughly and serve in soup bowls.