BAPTISM Bean Soup

Prepared for the after-church party in honor of Silas's baptism last week - hearty and delicious!

Baptism Bean Soup
This is the method I used, I’m sure there can be many variations…
• 1 bone-in ham - baked, then finished over-night in crock-pot

• 1 small bag of ‘small white’ beans (navy beans o.k. too) soaked in water overnight (old-school, not quick-soak)

• Sliced carrots to taste

• Chopped onion to taste
After the ham was baked I took it off the bone, reserving the yummy juices, then simmered the hock for about 2 hr.

Remove hock, drain, rinse and add beans and reserved ham juices to ham broth, bring to boil then simmer until beans are almost tender.
Add sliced carrots and chopped onion and simmer until everything is tender. Add ham chunks as desired to finish. Heat through and serve.
I didn’t add any salt – the ham had enough, I did add some pepper, you can all other spices if you like. I also sometimes add cut potatoes – very good. If the soup is too thick after it cools, add water to desired consistency.
Freezes well.

And for dessert - I highly recommend 'Just A Spoonful's' fabulous 'Over The Top' Brownies - see link...Thanks again, Mary!