It was the autumn General Church conference (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) this past weekend and so I chose to cook things to eat that could be easily done and enjoyed in between the sessions.
I had seen this delicious looking soup recipe for a crockpot ham and bean soup on Kitchen Divas. I decided to go with it as it was something which I could just throw into the crockpot. Basically, crockpot soups cook themselves!
Crockpot food is perfect for occasions such as this one!
I adapted the recipe to use things I had on hand and cut the size in half to make a much smaller amount as I am only one person! If you are wanting a larger amount simply double-up on all of the ingredients!
The crockpot I have is a Crockpot brand, 2 1/2 QT which I purchased on Amazon several years ago and it has served me well. I often use it on Sundays, popping everything into it prior to leaving for church. It is so nice to have those delicious smells of dinner waiting when I open the door after I return home!
This was hearty and delicious. I will make this again!
WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE EASY CROCKPOT HAM & BEAN SOUP
Just a few every day ordinary store cupboard ingredients, a crockpot and some leftover or cooked ham. Simple ingredients put together in the most delicious way!
- 2 1/2 cups (560ml) chicken broth
- 1 (15-ounce/425g) tin great northern beans drained but not rinsed
- generous cup of shredded cooked ham not lunch meat (I used half a ham steak)
- 1 small onion, peeled and finely diced
- 2 celery ribs, trimmed and chopped
- 1 medium carrot, peeled and grated
- 1/2 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp coarse black pepper
- salt taste
- 1/2 of a large bay leaf, or 1 small one, broken in half
I used Better than Boullion chicken stock paste, which I reconstituted with boiling water. I love the flavor of it.
I did not have a tin of Great Northern Beans but I did have a can of cooked haricot (pea) beans and so I used that. It worked very well.
I used a ham steak, well half of a ham steak, which I hand shredded into bite sized pieces. It worked very well. It was one of those ham steaks which is like a slice off of a ham leg with the small round bone in it. It was a smallish one.
I like to trim the strings from my celery before I chop it. I simply grasp them with the tip of a knife between the knife and my finger and pull. They come away easily. Just discard.
It does seem like a lot of garlic, and I thought it was, but I said what the heck and went with it and it ended up being delicious!
Breaking a bay leaf before using it really helps to bring the flavors of it out!
HOW TO MAKE EASY CROCKPOT HAM & BEAN SOUP
When I tell you that nothing could be easier or simpler to make than this, I am not kidding!
Put all of the ingredients into your crockpot. I have a 2 QT/liter one which is ideal for the smaller family. Stir well together to combine.Set on high for (3 hours) or on low for (6 hours).Give another good stir. Fish out and discard the bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning as required.Ladle into heated bowls and enjoy with crackers or a crisp baguette.
If you don't have a crock pot or a slow cooker you can also very easily make this in a saucepan on top of the stove. To do so I would melt a small knob of butter in a medium sized saucepan.
Add the vegetables (celery, carrot and onion) and sauté without coloring until the onions begin to soften.
Add the remaining ingredients and bring to the boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook, with the lid partially off on low for about 25 to 30 minutes. Serve hot and ladled into heated bowls.
This was really, really, REALLY good! It was hearty and quite healthy as well. I enjoyed a nice bowl of it with some crisp crackers. I like to crumble a few of my crackers into the soup when I eat it. I have been told that is quite common, meaning not what posh people would do.
But then I am a simple girl with simple tastes and ways. If that makes me common? Well, I am happy to be such! I really hope you will make this.
I sent half of the pot over to my next-door neighbor who really enjoyed it as well. I have always thought that a pleasure shared is a pleasure doubled!
If you are a fan of cooking soups and stews in the crockpot, you might also enjoy the following delicious offerings!
CROCKPOT SAUERKRAUT SOUP - Delicious and sustaining, this is one of our favorite soups to make in the crock pot. All you need is a jar of sauerkraut, some fresh veg, stock, tomato puree and a bit of smoked sausage and you have the makings of a deliciously simple dinner. In fact, you could not get much easier than this. (or tastier!)
CROCKPOT CREAMY VEGGIE CHOWDER - Its amazing what you can create with a little bit of this and a little bit of that! This soup is hearty and delicious! Perfect for a cold blustery day. Let the crockpot do all the work! Potatoes, ham, cream corn, cheese, and a few other bits combine to make a chowder that is rib sticking delicious!
Yield: 3 to 4Author: Marie Rayner
Crockpot Ham & Bean Soup
Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 6 HourTotal time: 6 H & 10 MThis is hearty and delicious and very easy to put together. Pop it into the crockpot in the morning or early afternoon and supper will be ready in about 3 hours (high) or 6 hours (low).Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups (560ml) chicken broth
- 1 (15-ounce/425g) tin great northern beans drained but not rinsed
- generous cup of shredded cooked ham not lunch meat (I used half a ham steak)
- 1 small onion, peeled and finely diced
- 2 celery ribs, trimmed and chopped
- 1 medium carrot, peeled and grated
- 1/2 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp coarse black pepper
- salt taste
- 1/2 of a large bay leaf, or 1 small one, broken in half
Instructions
- Put all of the ingredients into your crockpot. I have a 2 QT/liter one which is ideal for the smaller family. Stir well together to combine.
- Set on high for (3 hours) or on low for (6 hours).
- Give another good stir. Fish out and discard the bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning as required.
- Ladle into heated bowls and enjoy with crackers or a crisp baguette.
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