Hearty Ham & Navy Bean Delight
This hearty Ham & Navy Bean Delight is a comforting blend of flavors that brings warmth and satisfaction to any meal. Drawing inspiration from a variety of recipes, this soup combines tender navy beans, smoky ham hocks, and a medley of aromatic vegetables simmered in rich chicken broth. Perfect for family gatherings or a cozy night in, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your home. Enjoy the balance of savory ham, hearty beans, and the subtle sweetness of tomato sauce for a fulfilling dish that delights the senses.
10
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Navy beans
1 lb (rinsed and sorted)
Chicken broth
7 cups
Tomato sauce
8 ounces
Ham hocks
2
Ham
1 cup (chunked)
Onion
1 (diced)
Carrot
1-2 (diced)
Celery stalk
1-2 (diced)
Bay leaves
2
Celery salt
1/2 teaspoon
Garlic powder
1 teaspoon
Peppercorns
8-12 (in a teaball stainer)
Apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons
Instructions
1
Rinse and sort navy beans, removing any debris or damaged beans.
2
In a crock pot, cover beans with 4 cups of chicken broth. Let them soak overnight for best results.
3
The next day, do not drain the broth. Add an additional 2 cups of chicken broth.
4
In the same pot, add the tomato sauce, ham hocks, diced onion, carrots, celery, bay leaves, celery salt, garlic powder, and the peppercorns in a teaball stainer.
5
Set the crock pot to high and cook for 3 to 4 hours until the ham hocks are tender.
6
Remove the ham hocks from the soup. Shred the meat off the hocks into small pieces and return them to the soup mixture.
7
Switch the crock pot to low and continue cooking for another 6 to 8 hours, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
8
If the soup becomes too thick, add additional chicken broth. If it’s too thin, incorporate instant potatoes to thicken.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Ham & Navy Bean Delight?
It is a comforting soup that combines navy beans, smoky ham hocks, and aromatic vegetables simmered in chicken broth.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe yields approximately 10 servings.
What type of beans are used in this dish?
The recipe specifically calls for 1 pound of navy beans.
Do I need to soak the navy beans?
Yes, for the best results, the beans should be rinsed, sorted, and soaked overnight in the crock pot.
How much chicken broth is required in total?
The recipe uses 7 cups of chicken broth in total, with more added later if the soup is too thick.
Should I drain the broth after soaking the beans?
No, do not drain the broth; keep the soaking liquid and add an additional 2 cups of broth the next day.
What size of tomato sauce is needed?
You will need one 8-ounce container of tomato sauce.
How many ham hocks are included?
The recipe uses 2 ham hocks for flavor and meat.
Is there other ham besides the hocks?
Yes, the recipe also includes 1 cup of chunked ham.
What vegetables are used in the medley?
The aromatic vegetable medley consists of diced onion, carrots, and celery stalks.
How many bay leaves should be added?
You should add 2 bay leaves to the soup.
What seasonings are used for the bean soup?
The soup is seasoned with celery salt, garlic powder, and peppercorns.
How should the peppercorns be prepared?
Use 8 to 12 peppercorns placed inside a teaball strainer for easy removal.
What is the purpose of apple cider vinegar?
Two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar are added to balance the flavors of the soup.
What is the initial cooking setting on the crock pot?
The crock pot should be set to high for the first 3 to 4 hours.
How long is the second phase of cooking?
After the initial high heat, switch to low and cook for another 6 to 8 hours.
What do I do with the ham hocks once they are tender?
Remove them from the soup, shred the meat into small pieces, and return the meat to the pot.
How can I thin the soup if it is too thick?
Simply incorporate additional chicken broth until you reach the desired consistency.
How can I thicken the soup if it is too thin?
You can incorporate instant potatoes to help thicken the soup mixture.
Is this recipe suitable for slow cookers?
Yes, this recipe is specifically designed to be prepared in a crock pot or slow cooker.
What is the category of this recipe?
This recipe is categorized under Beans.
Are the vegetables diced or left whole?
The onion, carrots, and celery stalks should all be diced before being added to the pot.
How much garlic powder is used?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of garlic powder.
How much celery salt is required?
Use 1/2 teaspoon of celery salt for seasoning.
Is this a good recipe for family gatherings?
Yes, it is described as a fulfilling dish perfect for family gatherings or cozy nights.
Can I substitute the navy beans?
While the recipe calls for navy beans, other small white beans could be used, though flavors may vary.
What should I do before soaking the beans?
You must rinse and sort the beans to remove any debris or damaged pieces.
Is the ham chunked or shredded?
The additional cup of ham is chunked, while the ham from the hocks is shredded.
Why is the teaball strainer used for peppercorns?
It allows the peppercorns to infuse flavor without leaving hard seeds in the final soup.
What makes this soup a 'delight'?
The balance of savory ham, hearty beans, and the subtle sweetness of tomato sauce creates a delightful flavor.