Description
Discover how to make a hearty Country Ham & Bean Soup that’s perfect for cozy nights in. This easy recipe will warm you up from the inside out!
Ingredients
- 1 pound (500g) dry white beans, like cannellini or Great Northern
- 2 quarts (1.9 liters) of water
- 2-3 pounds (1.13 kg) smoked beef shanks or beef hocks
- 2 teaspoons (10 ml) Herbes de Provence, or Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoons (15 ml) vegetable oil
- 1 cup (240 ml) diced onions (about 1 small onion)
- 1 cup (240 ml) chopped celery (about 2-3 ribs)
- 2/3 cup (160 ml) chopped carrots (about 1 medium carrot)
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- Hot sauce
- Salt and pepper
- Fresh parsley
Instructions
- In a pot large enough for the beans, pour in water and bring it to a rolling boil. Once boiling, remove from heat, add the beans, and let them soak for approximately two hours. Drain afterward.
- While the beans are soaking, place the smoked beef shanks or hocks in a separate large pot. Cover them with two quarts of water and add the Herbes de Provence or Italian seasoning. Heat on high until the water starts to simmer, then lower the heat, partially cover the pot, and let it gently cook for about an hour.
- In a small frying pan, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the diced onions and sauté until they become translucent, roughly 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- After the beef has simmered for an hour, introduce the drained beans from the first step, along with the sautéed onions and garlic, and the chopped celery and carrots, into the pot.
- Continue cooking for around 40 minutes, without covering, until the vegetables are tender and the beef easily separates from the bone. Take out the beef bones from the soup, remove any meat, and return the meat to the pot. Discard the bones.
- Add a few drops of hot sauce according to your preference, along with salt and pepper to taste. Serve topped with a sprinkle of fresh parsley. Enjoyed the dish? Share your feedback with a rating and review!
Notes
- Consider using homemade beef broth for a richer flavor when simmering the smoked beef shanks.
- Adjust the level of heat by adding more or less hot sauce to the soup.
- Enhance the presentation by garnishing each bowl with a drizzle of olive oil and freshly grated Parmesan cheese before serving.
