Ham and Bean Tomato Soup

Name: Ham and Bean Tomato Soup
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 3 h 10 min
Total time: 3 h 45 min
Yield: 7 servings.
Cuisine: Europe, Italian
Ingredients: 3/4 cup dried navy beans; 1-1/2 pounds smoked ham hocks; 6 cups water; 4 celery ribs, sliced; 4 carrots, halved and sliced; 1 large onion, chopped; 1 cup fresh green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces; 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes; 1-1/2 teaspoons garlic powder; 1-1/2 teaspoons dried basil; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon paprika; 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano; 1/4 teaspoon each dried thyme, white pepper and Liquid Smoke; 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 2 cups chopped cabbage

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 35 min. + soaking Cook: 3 hours 10 min. + cooling YIELD: 7 servings.

Erin Lembke's take on this hearty classic is a thick tomato-based soup loaded with veggies and well-seasoned with herbs. Cayenne pepper gives it some zip. "I always make up a soup recipe as I go along," Erin writes from Bothell, Washington. "My husband, who doesn't usually care much for soup, really likes this one."

Ingredients

3/4 cup dried navy beans
1-1/2 pounds smoked ham hocks
6 cups water
4 celery ribs, sliced
4 carrots, halved and sliced
1 large onion, chopped
1 cup fresh green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes
1-1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
1-1/2 teaspoons dried basil
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon each dried thyme, white pepper and Liquid Smoke
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 cups chopped cabbage

Directions

1. Sort beans and rinse with cold water. Place beans in a Dutch over 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 and rinse beans, discarding liquid.
2. In a Dutch oven or soup kettle, place ham hocks and water. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer for 1 hour. Add beans; simmer 1 hour longer or until meat and beans are tender. Remove from heat. Cool slightly. Remove ham hocks. Cover and refrigerate ham hocks and soup.
3. Remove meat from bones; discard bones. Set meat aside. Remove fat from broth. Return broth with the beans and meat to pan. Add the celery, carrots, onion and green beans. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Add tomatoes and seasonings; cook for 10 minutes. Add cabbage; cook 35 minutes longer or until vegetables are tender.

Nutrition Facts

1-1/2 cups: 269 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 34mg cholesterol, 1121mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 10g fiber), 19g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 2 vegetable, 1 starch, 1/2 fat.