Creamy Winter Bean & Ham Soup
Warm up on a chilly winter day with this hearty and creamy bean and ham soup. Packed with white pea beans and yellow split peas, this soup offers a deliciously thick and velvety texture, enhanced by the rich flavors of molasses and tomato. The addition of tender carrots and smoky diced ham make this dish not just nourishing but also incredibly satisfying. Perfect for enjoying with crusty bread, this soup improves in flavor the longer it sits, making it a fantastic choice for meal prep during the colder months. Gather around the table with family and friends to savor this cozy one-dish meal.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
ham stock
8 cups (homemade or store-bought)
white pea beans (navy beans)
4 cups (washed and picked)
yellow split peas
1 cup (washed and picked)
bay leaves
3-4 (whole)
crushed black peppercorns
2 teaspoons (freshly crushed)
molasses
4 tablespoons (unsulfured preferred)
tomato paste
5 tablespoons (fresh or canned)
peeled diced carrots
2 cups (freshly peeled and diced)
ground ginger
2 teaspoons (ground)
diced ham
1 cup (cooked and diced)
salt
to taste (as needed)
Instructions
1
Start by washing and thoroughly picking over the white pea beans and yellow split peas. Place them in a large pot and cover with enough water to rise 3 or 4 inches above the beans.
2
Bring the water to a boil, then turn off the heat and let the beans soak overnight. This helps to soften them for cooking.
3
The next day, drain the soaked beans and transfer them to a large stockpot. Add the ham stock, yellow split peas, bay leaves, and crushed black peppercorns.
4
Heat the mixture over medium-high heat, bringing it to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently until the beans are tender, about 1 to 1.5 hours.
5
In a small bowl, mix a few tablespoons of the ham stock with the molasses and tomato paste until smooth. Stir this mixture into the simmering soup.
6
Add the peeled, diced carrots and ground ginger into the pot, and continue to simmer until the carrots are fork-tender, about 20 minutes.
7
Finally, stir in the diced ham. Taste the soup, and season with salt as needed (remember, this will depend on the saltiness of your ham). If the soup becomes too thick, you can add a little extra water to reach your desired consistency.
8
For the best flavor, let the soup sit for a day in the refrigerator before serving; it will deepen in flavor overnight. When ready to serve, reheat gently. Enjoy your deliciously creamy winter soup!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the primary ingredients in the Creamy Winter Bean & Ham Soup?
The main ingredients include ham stock, white pea beans (navy beans), yellow split peas, bay leaves, black peppercorns, molasses, tomato paste, carrots, ground ginger, and diced ham.
Do I need to soak the beans before cooking?
Yes, the recipe recommends washing and picking over the white pea beans and yellow split peas, then soaking them overnight in water to soften them.
How much ham stock is required for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 8 cups of ham stock, which can be either homemade or store-bought.
What gives this soup its creamy and velvety texture?
The combination of white pea beans and yellow split peas simmering until tender creates a thick and velvety consistency.
Is there a specific way to add the molasses and tomato paste?
Yes, you should mix the molasses and tomato paste with a few tablespoons of ham stock in a small bowl until smooth before stirring the mixture into the soup.
How long should the beans simmer?
The beans and split peas should simmer in the stock for approximately 1 to 1.5 hours until they are tender.
What kind of carrots should I use?
The recipe specifies 2 cups of freshly peeled and diced carrots.
At what point do I add the diced ham?
The cooked diced ham should be stirred in at the very end of the cooking process.
Can I adjust the consistency of the soup if it is too thick?
Yes, if the soup becomes too thick, you can add a little extra water to reach your desired consistency.
When should I add salt to the soup?
Salt should be added to taste at the end of the cooking process, as the saltiness will depend on the ham used.
Does the flavor of the soup change over time?
Yes, the soup improves in flavor the longer it sits; letting it sit in the refrigerator for a day before serving allows the flavors to deepen.
What are some recommended sides for this soup?
This hearty soup is perfect for enjoying with crusty bread.
Is this soup suitable for meal prep?
Absolutely, it is a fantastic choice for meal prep during colder months because the flavor enhances overnight.
How many bay leaves are used?
The recipe uses 3 to 4 whole bay leaves.
What type of ginger is used in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 teaspoons of ground ginger.
What should I do before soaking the beans?
You should wash them and thoroughly pick them over to remove any debris or damaged beans.
How much water should be used for soaking the beans?
Use enough water to rise 3 or 4 inches above the beans in the pot.
What type of molasses is preferred?
The recipe suggests that unsulfured molasses is preferred for the best flavor.
How long do the carrots take to cook in the soup?
Once added, the carrots should simmer for about 20 minutes or until they are fork-tender.
Are the split peas soaked with the navy beans?
Yes, both the white pea beans and yellow split peas are soaked together overnight.
What type of peppercorns should I use?
The recipe requires 2 teaspoons of freshly crushed black peppercorns.
What is the heat setting for simmering the beans?
After bringing the mixture to a boil, you should reduce the heat to low for a gentle simmer.
Is this a one-dish meal?
Yes, it is described as a cozy and nourishing one-dish meal.
What is the total amount of navy beans used?
The recipe uses 4 cups of white pea beans (navy beans).
What is the total amount of yellow split peas used?
The recipe uses 1 cup of yellow split peas.
Can I use fresh tomato paste?
Yes, the recipe allows for either fresh or canned tomato paste.
How should I reheat the soup?
The soup should be reheated gently when you are ready to serve it.
What tags are associated with this recipe for searching?
Tags include soup, bean soup, ham soup, winter recipes, comfort food, and hearty soup.
Is the ham added raw or cooked?
The recipe specifies using 1 cup of cooked and diced ham.
How do I prepare the beans on the second day?
On the second day, drain the soaked beans and transfer them to a large stockpot with the ham stock and other ingredients.