Red Bean Soup

Total Time: 2 hrs 35 mins Preparation Time: 35 mins Cook Time: 2 hrs

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 2 cups dried red kidney beans, soaked overnight and drained
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 large onion, peeled and chopped
• 1 clove garlic, peeled and minced
• 1 stalk celery & leaves, chopped
• 1 carrot, peeled and chopped
• 1/2 lb smoked ham, cut into large chunks
• 1 large ham bone, if available
• 2 quarts water
• 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/8 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes
• salt and pepper
• chopped fresh parsley (to garnish)

Recipe

• 1 put the beans in a saucepan, cover with fresh water and bring to a boil.
• 2 boil for 10 minutes and drain.
• 3 set aside.
• 4 melt the butter in a dutch oven or very large saucepan and cook the onion, garlic, celery and carrot, covered, until softened.
• 5 add the beans, ham, ham bone, water, worcestershire sauce, parsley, thyme, bay leaves, lemon juice, pepper flakes, and salt and pepper to taste.
• 6 bring to a boil and simmer 2 hours or until beans are very soft.
• 7 discard the ham bone.
• 8 scoop out the chunks of ham and reserve.
• 9 press the soup through a fine sieve and return it to the saucepan.
• 10 discard the solids in the sieve.
• 11 cut the chunks of ham into small dice and add to the soup.
• 12 reheat, and taste and adjust the seasonings.
• 13 serve hot, sprinkled with a little parsley.