Ruth's barley and white bean soup

6 Servings

Ingredients

Quantity Ingredient
½ cup Small white beans -- rinsed
And drained
8 cups Water
2 tablespoons Butter
1 small Onion -- finely chopped
2 Leeks -- rinsed and sliced
cup Pearl barley
1 Clove garlic -- minced
1 Stalk celery -- finely
Chopped
1 medium Carrot -- shredded
2 Ham hocks (about 2 lbs) --
Smoked
1 Bay leaf
teaspoon White pepper
1 cup Milk
Salt (optional)
Chopped parsley (for
Garnish)

Directions

1. In a medium saucepan bring beans and 2 cups of the water to a boil; boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat, cover, and let stand for 1 hour.

2. In a 5½- to 6-quart kettle or Dutch oven, melt butter. In it cook onion, leeks, and barley until onion is transparent. Stir in garlic, celery, and carrot and cook 2 to 3 minutes. Add ham hocks (or ham bone), remaining 6 cups water, beans and their liquid, bay leaf, and pepper.

3. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat and simmer until meat separates easily from bone (2 ½ to 3 hours). Remove ham hocks or ham bone; when they are cool enough to handle remove and discard bones and skin. Discard bay leaf. Return meat in chunks to the soup.

4. Gradually stir in milk and reheat to serving temperature (do not boil).

Salt to taste. Sprinkle each portion with parsley or chives, and serve.

Recipe By : the California Culinary Academy From: Date: 05/27 File

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