Hearty bean soup

6 servings

Ingredients

Quantity Ingredient
20 ounces Pkg Hamm beans or 2 c mixed dried beans
1 Ham bone or ham hock (I use 1 lb ham chunks)
2⅓ teaspoon Bouquet garni (can buy in the spice section)
3 quarts Water
28 ounces Can tomatoes
2 larges Onions, chopped (2 cups)
4 Ribs celery, chopped (2 cups)
2 Cloves garlic, minced
1 pounds Smoked kielbasa or Polish sausage (optional)

Directions

Salt and pepper Chopped fresh parsley Rinse beans under cold running water. Drain. Place in 8 quart Dutch oven with ham bone, bouquet garni and water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat to low. Simmer covered for 2½ to 3 hours, adding water as necessary to keep beans covered. Add tomatoes, onions, celery and garlic. Simmer, covered, for 1 ½ hours. If using sausage, cut in 1 inch chunks and add. Simmer for 30 minutes longer. Remove from heat; add salt and pepper. Sprinkle with parsley before serving.

10 (1 cup) servings without sausage.

Posted by Ellen Cleary. Courtesy of Fred Peters.

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