*  Exported from  MasterCook  *

                            Virginia Ham Soup

Recipe By     : 
Serving Size  : 4    Preparation Time :0:00
Categories    : Soups                            Meats
                Vegetables                       Beans
                Italian

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   1 1/2  cups          Ham -- 1/2" cubes
   2      tablespoons   Butter or margarine
   1      cup           Onions -- chop
   1      cup           Carrots; halve l'wise -- sl
                        x'wise
   1      cup           Celery; halve l'wise -- sl
                        x'wise
   4      cups          Chicken broth
  10      ounces        Pk frozen lima or baby lima -- beans
     1/4  teaspoon      Pepper
     1/4  teaspoon      Dried thyme
                        CROUTONS
   4      slices        Firm white breat -- 1/2" cubes
   2      tablespoons   Butter or margarine
     1/2  teaspoon      Dried oregano
     1/2  cup           Jack cheese -- 1/2" cubes

Heat butter in a large saucepan. Saute onion, carrot and celery until onion is soft 
and transparent. Add broth, ham, lima beans, pepper and thyme. Bring to a boil.
 Lower heat. Simmer for 15 minutes. During this time melt the butter for croutons. 
Add oregano. Place bread cubes in a bowl. Drizzle with melted butter and toss to
 coat evenly. Place on a baking sheet. Bake at 375~ for 6 to 8 minutes until golden.
 Puree 1-1/2 cups of the cooked vegetable mixture in a blender or processor. 
Turn puree back into the soup. Stir to combine and heat to steaming.
 Serve with croutons and cubed cheese.

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