By Justin Segelstrom
Serves: 6-8
Cooking Time: 8 hours on low / 4 hours on high (alternative method)
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients:
2 large carrots, chopped (about 1/2 cup)
3 stalks of celery, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 cloves of garlic, pressed or minced
A big pinch of dried thyme
5 or 6 cups of chicken stock, depending on preferred thickness
2 cans (15 oz each) Great Northern Beans, drained and rinsed
1.5 lbs of leftover ham, chopped
Chopped parsley or green onions, for garnish
Instructions:
1. Prep Your Ingredients: Begin by chopping your carrots, celery, onion, and leftover ham into bite-sized pieces. Have your garlic pressed or minced, and gather your seasonings.
2. Combine in Slow Cooker: Add the chopped carrots, celery, onion, pressed garlic, dried thyme, and leftover ham to the slow cooker. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste. Pour in 5 cups of chicken stock, reserving the last cup to adjust the soup's thickness later.
3. Cook on Low: Set your slow cooker to low and let the soup cook for 6 hours. This slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the ham to impart a rich taste to the broth.
4. Add Beans: For the last 2 hours of cooking time, add the drained and rinsed Great Northern Beans to the slow cooker. This ensures the beans maintain their texture and don't become overly soft.
5. Adjust Consistency: As the cooking time nears its end, check the soup's consistency. If you prefer a thinner soup, stir in the remaining cup of chicken stock until your desired consistency is achieved.
6. Garnish and Serve: Once the soup is done, ladle it into bowls and garnish with chopped parsley or green onions. Serve hot and enjoy a hearty, comforting meal.
Notes:
For a quicker version, start by sautéing the chopped carrots, celery, onion, and garlic in a bit of oil over medium heat until the vegetables are softened.
Transfer the sautéed vegetables to the slow cooker, then follow the same steps as above, but set the slow cooker on high. This method reduces the cooking time to approximately 4 hours, still adding the beans during the last 2 hours of cooking.