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Prep Time: 0 Minutes Cook Time: 150 Minutes |
Ready In: 150 Minutes Servings: 6 |
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Ingredients:
the finished texture of the soup should be creamy but not too thick. eight to 10 strokes with a potato masher should be adequate. if you cannot find a smoked ham hock, a ham steak is almost as good and readily available. we found that 6 ounces of ham steak adds flavor without overwhelming the beans. if using ham steak, cut it into quarter-inch dice and add the meat to the pot when starting the beans. |
2 bay leaves |
4 sprigs fresh thyme |
4 parsley stems , plus 1 1/2 tablespoons minced parsley leaves |
1 pound dried navy beans washed and picked clean of any debris or dark-colored beans |
1 smoked ham hock (about 12 ounces) |
salt |
1 tablespoon unsalted butter |
1 medium onion , chopped fine |
1 medium carrot , chopped fine |
1 medium stalk celery , chopped fine |
4 medium cloves garlic , peeled and finely minced |
ground black pepper |
1 teaspoon lemon juice from 1 medium lemon, plus 1 lemon cut into wedges |
Directions:
1. 1. With a 12-inch length of kitchen twine, tie together the bay leaves, thyme sprigs, and parsley stems.
2. 2. Combine the beans, ham hock, herb bundle, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 4 quarts of cold water in a large Dutch oven. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, reduce the heat to medium, and simmer until the beans are soft, about 2 hours.
3. 3. While the beans are simmering, heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, and celery and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds longer. Transfer the sautéed vegetables to a small bowl.
4. 4. Remove the herb bundle and the ham hock from the pot with the beans. Lightly smash some of the beans in the pot with a potato masher until creamy and lightly thickened. Using tongs and a chef’s knife, remove and discard the skin, fat, and bones from the hock and mince the meat. Add the meat and the sautéed vegetables to the beans and simmer, uncovered, until the flavors are melded and the soup has thickened, about 30 minutes. (The soup can be refrigerated in an airtight container for several days. Warm over medium-low heat, adding a little water if soup seems too thick.)
5. 5. Just before serving, season the soup with salt and pepper to taste and stir in the parsley and the lemon juice. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish each with a lemon wedge.
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