Description
Hearty ham and white bean soup brings Mediterranean comfort to winter tables. Rustic ingredients blend seamlessly, offering robust flavors that welcome you to savor each spoonful with genuine satisfaction.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (300 g) ham, diced
- 4 cups (1 liter) chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 cups (480 ml) water
- 3 cans (15 oz / 425 g) white beans (cannellini or great northern), drained and rinsed
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
- Crusty bread or crackers (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sautée diced onions, carrots, and celery until softened and translucent, creating a flavorful aromatic base for the soup.
- Herb Infusion: Add minced garlic, dried thyme, and rosemary to the vegetable mixture. Toast herbs briefly to release their intense fragrance and enhance the overall depth of flavor.
- Liquid Foundation: Pour chicken broth into the pot, then add thoroughly rinsed white beans. Stir to combine and create a rich, hearty liquid base for the soup.
- Ham Integration and Simmering: Fold diced ham into the mixture, allowing it to distribute its smoky essence throughout the soup. Reduce heat and simmer gently for 20-25 minutes, enabling flavors to meld and develop complex taste profiles.
- Seasoning and Finishing: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Ladle the steaming soup into serving bowls and garnish with freshly chopped parsley or delicate thyme leaves for a vibrant, fresh accent.
Notes
- Enhance Herb Flavor: Toast dried thyme and rosemary in the pan before adding other ingredients to release deeper, more intense aromatic compounds.
- Bean Preparation: Rinse canned white beans thoroughly to reduce sodium content and remove excess starch, ensuring a cleaner taste and smoother texture in the soup.
- Ham Selection: Choose low-sodium or smoked ham for more controlled saltiness and a richer flavor profile that complements the beans and vegetables.
- Texture Control: If prefer a creamier consistency, gently mash a portion of the beans against the pot’s side to create a thicker, more luxurious soup base without adding extra ingredients.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 to 9
- Calories: 105
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg