Ham and Bean Soup

Perfect for a rainy or snowy afternoon. Smells great and tastes better. Creamy soup without the cream!

• Ready In: 4 hrs 30 mins
• Serves: 8
• Yields: 12 cups

Ingredients

• 1  lb dried great northern beans
• 1  ham bone, with some ham on it
• 2  tablespoons  ham soup base
• 10  cups water
• 3  carrots, diced
• 3  stalks celery, diced
• 1  cup  diced onion
• 1  bay leaf
• 1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1⁄2 teaspoon  louisiana hot sauce
• 4  cups  cubed ham

Directions

1. Rinse beans and soak in water overnight. Drain beans and rinse again. Add water, ham bone, ham base, carrots, celery, onions, bay leaf, and black pepper to soup pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Turn heat down and simmer for 2-3 hours. Remove ham bone. Use hand blender to make soup smoother but still chunky. Add ham and hot sauce and simmer for another half hour or so. Remove bay leaf and serve.