Bean Soup

On a wintery cold day comfort food always calls to me. This bean soup got my attention today because I met a nice elderly man in the grocery store who was buying dried beans. I knew from the minute he said hello to me that he knew what he was doing with bean soup! He had that accent that screamed….Yes madam I know how to make bean soup. Also the store had ham hocks on sale today…………I’ve never cooked a ham hock in my life!

So here is to my mid-winter life……..a pot of Bean Soup for the weekend!

Ingredients:

1 - 2 lbs of ham hocks

1 cup onion, chopped

2 carrots shredded

2 – 3 stalks of celery chopped

1 quart of “Dad’s” home grown bottled diced tomatoes…..maybe you can buy that in a grocery store!

1 tsp chili powder

Juice of 1 lemon

1 –2 cloves garlic, minced

2 sprigs of rosemary

1 20 oz bag of dried “Bean Soup” beans

Salt and Pepper to taste

Method:

Place rinsed beans in a pot with 3 quarts of water. Bring to a rapid boil. Reduce heat, cover and continue boiling 60-70 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. After 60 minutes, add ingredients. Place everything in your favorite crock pot and continue cooking for several hours. I cook mine most of the afternoon.