Ham and Bean Chowder
Country Woman
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Meet the Cook: We also call this 2-Day Bean Chowder, since it can be started in the afternoon, chilled overnight and finished off the next day - if you can wait to taste it!
-Joe Ann Heavrin, Memphis, Tennessee
SERVINGS: 12-14
CATEGORY: Soup
METHOD: Overnight Recipes
TIME: Prep: 40 min. + standing Cook: 2 hours + chilling
Ingredients:
- 1 pound dried great northern beans
- 2 cups chopped onion
- 1 cup sliced celery
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 meaty ham bone
- 2 cups water
- 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) chicken broth
- 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) stewed tomatoes
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 whole cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 2 cups milk
- 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
Directions:
Place beans in a Dutch oven or soup kettle; add water to cover by 2-in. Bring to a boil; boil for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat; cover and let stand for 1 hour.
Drain beans and discard liquid. In the same kettle, saute onion, celery and garlic in butter until tender. Add beans, ham bone, water, broth, tomatoes, bay leaves, cloves and pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 2 hours.
Remove ham bone, bay leaves and cloves. When cool enough to handle, remove ham from bone; cut into small pieces and return to soup. Chill for 8 hours or overnight.
Skim fat from soup. Stir in milk; cool on low until heated through. Just before serving, stir in cheese. Yield: 12-14 servings (3-1/4 quarts).