Thick Ham and Bean Soup

My husband likes the thickness of this soup which is accomplished by adding a couple of potatoes towards the end of cooking that are than mashed to thicken the soup.

• Ready In: 3 hrs
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 1  lb navy beans
• 7  cups water
• 3  stalks celery
• 3  carrots
• 1  large onion
• 4  chicken bouillon cubes
• 1  bay leaf
• 1  teaspoon thyme
• 1  teaspoon garlic granules
• 2  large potatoes
• 1  ham bone

Directions

1. Either soak beans over night or quick soak by covering beans with 2 inches of water, bringing to a boil for 2 minutes and letting set for 1 hour.
2. Drain and rinse beans, add all ingredients, except for the potatoes.
3. Bring to a boil and simmer for 1 1/2 hours.
4. Remove ham bone and pick off meat, give ham bones to dog.
5. Return ham to soup along with potatoes.
6. Cook for 1/2 hour more or until potatoes are tender.
7. Take a potato masher and mash the potatoes and some of the beans, this makes a wonderfully thick soup.
8. Serve with either crackers or corn muffins. Enjoy!
9. Oh yea, salt and pepper to taste!