Ham and White Bean Soup with Thyme
I know, I know, I’m a crazy soup maker. I can’t help it. I find it to be the perfect one-pot meal when I don’t have time to think of anything else. For this soup I like to soak white flageolet beans overnight but do you have to do that? No. You can used canned. If using dried, do you have to use flageolet? No. You can use cannellini. Some type of bean mix. Western Family small white beans. Whatever suits your fancy. The bonus of using dried beans is that they tend hold up better in soup. Not get so mushy but it’s not a deal breaker. Really. For the ham, I just get it at the deli counter and I ask them to slice it thickly. My whole family loves this soup and I served it with Sicilian bread – basically a rustic loaf with toasted sesame seeds all over the outside. Yum!
2 cups dried white beans OR 3 15-oz cans white beans
2 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
1/2 tsp dried thyme
2 carrots, peeled, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
1 qt chicken broth
1/2 lb. cured ham, cut into cubes
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
a piece of Parmesan cheese rind, about 1 inch
more grated Parmesan cheese for on top
If using dried beans, soak them overnight or from early morning until late afternoon, in a bowl with about 3 times as much water as beans.
When ready to use, drain and rinse. (PS: I’ve also gone through the process of soaking them, having dinner plans change and not using them. I simply drain them and put them in the fridge to use the following day. They worked just as well.)
In a large soup pot, sauté your onions in the olive oil for about 5 minutes. Add your carrots, celery and thyme and sauté another 3-5 minutes.
If using canned beans, drain and rinse them.
Add your beans to the pot along with your chicken broth, piece of Parmesan cheese rind, and enough water to cover the beans by 1 1/2 inches.
Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes if using the dried beans and 20 minutes if using canned.
Add your ham cubes, salt and pepper and simmer another 15 minutes if using dried beans and 10 minutes if using canned. If using dried check to make sure they are cooked through. If not, simmer another 10 minutes or so.
!That’s it. So easy. Serve with some bread. Makes great leftovers for when there isn’t any time to cook. Enjoy.
YIELD: One big pot full
I am right there with you! I usually wake at 3 follow the ticker tape, then fall back to sleep at 5. Two things I try to do is to block all of the “to dos” by focusing on my accomplishments of the day.
I also keep a zune, loaded with podcasts under my pillow. When I wake up I put in the earplugs, turn it on and start listening to the podcasts or the bbc before the ticker tape can begin.
bon nuit!
Emily, I love the idea of the Zune under your pillow. (Although, I’m clearly not up on all that’s hip since I had to Google “zune” but now see that it’s Microsoft’s version of an iPod.) I forgot to add to my list above that I recently downloaded some “relaxation” music and when I play it, it makes me feel like I’m waiting for my spa treatment even if I’m actually making school lunches. So, having that under my pillow would be a good thing.
So one of my dear friends had this to say to me…..
“Carrie my dear, it is called peri-menopause (sorry to say it, but your hormones are shifting) and motherhood. BTW, I awake at 3:10 AM. Do you suppose that our times will “fall back” since we turn the clocks back tonight?”
Gads….say it isn’t so!!
ok, i am highly against this remark! i’ve been waking up at 4:30ish for months now. : (
And here’s what another dear friend said to me….
“Ha- it’s called peri-menopausal…good luck with that.”
Must I add not only “presbyopia” to my vocabulary but “peri-menopause” as well? Both at the same time? Where’s the fairness in that??
mmm.. did that last comment go thru? silly new computer..
what i was saying..
‘i’m reeally not ok with this last remark. i’ve been waking up at 4:30ish for months : (
ahh.. good now let me add a THIRD comment. sheesho…peetzo, sorry about that.
ok, for re-sleepness… i find the ‘relax the top of the head… breathe.. now feel your limbs like warm wet sand.. breathe.. relax the sides of your head, the muscles around your eyes, your eyelids…. and on down to your tootsies. i’m usually back asleep by the knees. 🙂
Oh gads…you too?? Maybe instead of boot camp coffee, we need to go get a massage instead. Will try your “re-sleep” technique at 4:36am tomorrow or will that end up being 3:36am with the time change?
Carrie, Congrats on publishing your articles! Super cool. And dang those hormone changes….the reason to exercise hard each week to keep it at bay….for a little while longer.
Thanks, Kath! Wish you were here to motivate me to exercise hard. Strolling down to the school and back is about it. Granted, it’s straight up hill on the way home but still…..
Another fantastic recipe Carrie! Made it last night for our family and a friend and it was loved by all. My husband even commented on how good the soup was again this morning.
Our food moods always seem to meet up. Maybe it’s b/c we both live in the PNW.
Thanks for your helpful meal planning tips a while back. Meal planning is happening more and more in this house. What a difference it makes.
Wishing you sweet and restful dreams.
Hi Jennifer….I’m thrilled your family liked the soup. And yes, something about soup….it’s even better the next day. Happy to know my meal planning tips were a bit of a help. Thank you so much for spending some of your precious time here visiting La Pomme!!