Hearty Ham Bone & Escarole Soup
Indulge in the rich flavors of Hearty Ham Bone & Escarole Soup, a soul-warming recipe perfect for chilly days. This delightful, hearty soup combines tender pieces of ham, nutritious vegetables like fresh escarole, carrots, and celery, along with creamy cannellini beans to create a comforting meal for your family and friends. Slow-simmered to perfection, it's not just a soup; it's a flavor-packed hug in a bowl that evokes warmth and togetherness. Ideal for sharing, this recipe yields a generous batch – perfect for gatherings or meal prep for busy weeknights.
12
Servings
200
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Ham bone
1 (none)
Water
4 cups (none)
Chicken broth
4 cups (none)
Onion
1 cup (chopped)
Celery & leaves
1 cup (chopped)
Carrots
1 cup (chopped)
Escarole
2 bunches (rough chopped)
Cannellini beans
2 (16 ounce) cans (rinsed and drained)
Diced tomatoes
1 (28 ounce) can (none)
Salt
1 tablespoon (to taste)
Pepper
1/2 tablespoon (to taste)
Garlic powder
1/2 tablespoon (to taste)
Italian seasoning
1 1/2 tablespoons (or alternatively, use oregano)
Instructions
1
In a large stockpot, add the ham bone along with 4 cups of water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to infuse.
2
Stir in the chicken broth, blending thoroughly with the ham bone and water mixture.
3
Add the chopped onion, chopped celery, and chopped carrots to the pot. Stir to combine well.
4
Next, incorporate the rough chopped escarole, rinsed cannellini beans, and diced tomatoes, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the soup.
5
Season the soup with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning (or oregano) to your taste preferences, adjusting as necessary.
6
Bring the mixture back to a rolling boil, then cover the pot and reduce the heat to simmer for about 2 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the soup to thicken.
7
Once cooked, remove the ham bone from the pot; shred any remaining meat off the bone and return the meat to the soup. Discard the bone.
8
Serve the soup hot, garnished with grated Romano cheese for an extra touch of flavor.
Nutrition Information
6.7g
Fat
23.3g
Carbs
13.3g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Ham Bone & Escarole Soup?
Hearty Ham Bone & Escarole Soup is a soul-warming, flavor-packed meal that combines a ham bone, fresh escarole, carrots, celery, and creamy cannellini beans.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe yields a generous batch of 12 servings, making it ideal for large gatherings or meal prep.
How many calories are in a serving of this soup?
Each serving of the Hearty Ham Bone & Escarole Soup contains approximately 200 calories.
What are the primary ingredients needed?
The main ingredients include a ham bone, escarole, cannellini beans, diced tomatoes, onion, celery, carrots, chicken broth, and various seasonings.
How long does the soup need to simmer?
After bringing the mixture to a boil, you should cover the pot and let it simmer for about 2 hours to allow flavors to meld.
What is the preparation method for the escarole?
The escarole should be rough chopped before being added to the soup pot.
Can I substitute the Italian seasoning?
Yes, you can use oregano as an alternative to the Italian seasoning.
What should I do with the ham bone once the soup is finished?
Remove the bone from the pot, shred any remaining meat to return to the soup, and then discard the bone.
Is this soup suitable for meal prep?
Yes, it is excellent for meal prep as it makes a large quantity and the flavors continue to develop over time.
What is the nutritional content regarding fat and protein?
One serving contains 6.7g of fat and 13.3g of protein.
How many cans of cannellini beans are required?
The recipe calls for two 16-ounce cans of cannellini beans, rinsed and drained.
What size of diced tomatoes should be used?
A 28-ounce can of diced tomatoes is needed for this recipe.
What is the first step in the cooking process?
The first step is to boil the ham bone in 4 cups of water for 15-20 minutes to infuse the liquid with flavor.
How much chicken broth is added?
The recipe requires 4 cups of chicken broth to be blended with the ham bone water.
What is the carbohydrate count per serving?
There are approximately 23.3g of carbohydrates in each serving.
Is it necessary to chop the celery leaves?
Yes, the recipe suggests using 1 cup of chopped celery including the leaves for extra flavor.
How much garlic powder is used for seasoning?
The recipe uses 1/2 tablespoon of garlic powder, adjusted to your taste.
What type of cheese is recommended for garnish?
Grated Romano cheese is recommended as a garnish for an extra touch of flavor.
How many bunches of escarole are needed?
You will need 2 bunches of fresh escarole for this soup.
Is this a healthy recipe choice?
Yes, it is tagged as a healthy option because it is packed with vegetables and lean protein from the ham and beans.
What categories does this soup fall into?
It is categorized as a hearty soup that takes less than 4 hours to prepare.
How much salt and pepper are added?
The recipe uses 1 tablespoon of salt and 1/2 tablespoon of pepper, though you should adjust to your preference.
Does the recipe use fresh tomatoes or canned?
The recipe specifies using canned diced tomatoes.
Can I use onion powder instead of fresh onion?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of fresh chopped onion for the best texture and flavor.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 13 total ingredients used in this recipe.
How much Italian seasoning is required?
You will need 1 1/2 tablespoons of Italian seasoning.
Is the soup served hot or cold?
The soup should be served hot for the best experience.
How much water is used initially?
The ham bone is initially boiled in 4 cups of water.
What is the total time estimate for this recipe?
The total time is under 4 hours, with about 2 hours and 20 minutes specifically for simmering and boiling.
Are the beans cooked separately?
No, the rinsed cannellini beans are added directly into the soup pot to simmer with the other ingredients.