Ingredients
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5 cups chicken broth (low sodium is best)
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3 cups water
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1 large meaty ham bone (I use 2 or 3 smoked ham hocks)
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1 teaspoon dried thyme
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1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
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1/2 teaspoon pepper
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1/4 teaspoon rubbed sage
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1/4 teaspoon dried savory
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1 medium onion, chopped
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3 medium carrots, chopped
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2 celery ribs, chopped (I also put in a handful of the chopped celery leaves)
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1 tablespoon vegetable oil
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1 large potato, cut into cubes (optional, but very good)
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2 -3 tablespoons chicken bouillon granules
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2 cups dried great northern beans
Instructions
- Place beans in a Dutch oven or soup kettle; add water to cover by 2â€.
- Bring to a boil; boil for 2 minutes.
- Remove from heat, cover and let stand for 1 hour. Drain.
- Add broth, water, ham bone, bouillon and seasonings; bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 2 hours (I find I usually add at least an hour to this).
- Sauté’ onions, carrots and celery in oil; add to soup along with cubed potato (if using).
- Cover and simmer 1 hour longer.
- Debone ham and cut into chunks; return to soup.
- Skim fat (I find I don’t have any to skim).
- I like to mash some of the beans once they get soft. My total cooking time is more like 6 hours than 4 hours.
- Great served with corn bread.