How many of you plan to cook a ham for Easter? Ooohh, I can see your hands in the air! The dilemma is solved, my friends, with what to do with that dang ham bone, in this post. Bottom line, do not throw it away — that Easter ham is the gift that keeps on giving!
I cooked a ham after Christmas, and froze the bone. Since we have had all four seasons in one week, today being foggy, chilly, and rainy, I thought ham and beans might just fit the ticket, plus it can cook away all day in the slow cooker. If you have read other posts of mine, you might have seen that I’m a fan of Southern Living magazine. I’m a midwest girl, but that magazine will give you some of the best recipes and ideas ever!
I grabbed this recipe out of the drawer, and voila, Spring Ham and Bean Soup was ready when we arrived home. I prepped everything the night before and threw it all in before heading out the door. The recipe actually calls for a 6 hour jaunt on high in the slow cooker, but since I was gone all day, I cooked it on low for about 11 hours. PERFECT!!!! You can find the recipe here but I’m adding it below for your convenience.
So, if you are one of the lucky ones eating Easter ham, save the bone and take advantage of an easy peasy meal! Happy Easter, and thanks for stopping by!
~Connie Kaye
Ham and Bean Soup
- 6 cups unsalted chicken stock
- 1 pound dried Great Northern beans, sorted of debris and rinsed
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme (dried works as well)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 garlic cloves, chopped (about 1 Tbsp.)
- 3 celery stalks, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 1/2 cup)
- 2 large carrots, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 1 cup)
- 1 small yellow onion, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 1 cup)
- 1 large, meaty ham bone
Stir together chicken stock, Great Northern beans, thyme, salt, pepper, garlic, celery, carrots, and onion in a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker. Place ham bone in the center of mixture; cover and cook on HIGH until beans are tender, about 6 hours, or low until you get home from work. Remove ham bone; let stand until cool enough to handle. Remove meat from bone; discard fat, gristle, and bone. Shred meat, and stir into soup.
Connie Kaye's Kitchen 