*  Exported from  MasterCook  *

                          Navy Bean Soup - Jolly

Recipe By     : 
Serving Size  : 1    Preparation Time :0:00
Categories    : Soups/Stews

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   1      pound         Dried navy beans
   1                    Smoked ham bone
   1      cup           Diced onion
   1 1/2  cups          Diced potatoes -- skin on
   1      cup           Diced carrots
     1/4  cup           Diced celery
   2                    Garlic cloves -- peel/mince
   2      tablespoons   Minced fresh parsley
   1      teaspoon      Minced fresh thyme
   1                    Bay leaf
   6      cups          Water
   2      cups          Vegetable or chicken stock -
                        OR beef stock
   1      cup           Tomato puree
                        Salt & pepper -- to taste
   1      cup           Heavy cream (optional)

   Prepare beans for cooking. Soak beans in 10 times as     
much water as beans, changing the water 3 times, over a     
four-hour period. Or bring beans to a boil and immediately  
remove from heat, and let soak for 1 hour.                  
   Discard soaking liquid and rinse beans under running     
water. Place beans in stockpot with ham bone, onions,       
potatoes, carrots, celery, garlic, parsley, thyme and bay   
leaf. Add water and stock.  Bring to a boil over high heat. 
Lower heat and simmer for about 2 hours, or until beans are 
very soft, adding water as necessary.                       
   When beans are quite soft, stir in tomato puree and salt 
and pepper, and cook for an additional 30 minutes. Remove   
bay leaf and stir in cream, if using. Serve immediately.    
   Serves 6-8.                                              
                                                            
NOTE:  This soup is humble and hearty. It requires a few    
hours of patience, but little work...besides chopping a few 
vegetables. If you're up for a tiny splurge (and you're New 
Year's resolutions will allow), stir in a cup of cream just 
before serving.                          

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