Absolutely! Here’s a delicious, hearty recipe for Navy Bean and Ham Hock Soup:
Hearty Navy Bean and Ham Hock Soup
Servings: 6–8
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 2–3 hours (or 45–60 minutes in a pressure cooker)
Ingredients:
- 1 lb (450 g) dried navy beans, soaked overnight or quick-soaked
- 1 large ham hock (about 1–1.5 lbs / 450–680 g)
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2–3 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 3–4 garlic cloves, minced
- 6 cups (1.5 L) chicken or vegetable stock
- 2 cups (480 ml) water (more as needed)
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp black pepper (or to taste)
- Salt to taste (careful—ham can be salty)
- Optional: 1–2 tsp apple cider vinegar (brightens the flavor)
- Optional garnish: chopped parsley or fresh thyme
Instructions:
- Prepare the beans:
- If using the overnight method, drain and rinse the soaked beans.
- If short on time, bring beans to a boil for 2–3 minutes, then remove from heat, cover, and soak 1 hour. Drain and rinse.
- Cook the soup:
- In a large pot, place the ham hock, beans, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, bay leaves, thyme, stock, and water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 2–3 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender and the ham is falling off the bone.
- Remove and shred ham:
- Take out the ham hock, let it cool slightly, and shred the meat, discarding the bone and skin.
- Return the meat to the soup.
- Adjust seasoning:
- Taste and add salt if needed (ham already adds saltiness).
- Add a splash of apple cider vinegar if you want a bit of brightness.
- Serve:
- Ladle into bowls, garnish with parsley or thyme, and enjoy with crusty bread.
💡 Tips for Extra Flavor:
- Sauté the onions, carrots, and celery in a little olive oil before adding liquids for a richer base.
- Add smoked paprika or a dash of cayenne for a subtle smoky kick.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day!
If you want, I can also make a “quick version” of this soup that’s ready in under 1 hour using canned beans and ham. It’s almost as tasty but much faster. Do you want me to do that?
