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Baker. Cook. Gardener. Animal Lover.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

To Warm Your Soul






We have rain in the forecast for tonight...so I decided to make a simple supper of bean soup and dilly bread. This is about as easy as it gets...and if you have ham hocks in your freezer or fridge...you're on your way. The dilly bread was Bessie's recipe and the bread is in the oven. I'll post the recipe tomorrow.When the bread comes out, I'll slice it, grate some Gruyere cheese and toast it under the broiler. Simple.

February Bean Soup For A Winter Night

1 onion, chopped
3 celery stalks, chopped
1 carrot, chopped

1/2 bag of baby white beans, soaked in water over night and drained
2 quarts chicken stock
2 ham hocks
Thyme 1 fresh handful chopped or 1 teaspoon dried
Italian Flat Leaf Parsley, 1/2 cup chopped


Saute the onion, celery and carrot in olive oil till soft

Add beans
Add ham hocks
Add chicken stock
Add thyme
Add parsley

Simmer slowly 3 to 3 1/2 hours or till beans are soft

Let cool, remove ham hock and shred meat
Add meat back to soup
Heat and serve
Sometimes I garnish with some shredded fresh spinach and just let the heat of the soup melt the spinach...looks pretty too.

Stay Warm

21 comments:

  1. Sounds good to me! Can't wait for the bread recipe!
    Happy eating...stay warm!

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  2. You're right, bean soup and homemade bread do warm your soul. Last month, when I was sick, my mom sent over some homemade bean soup. It was exactly what I needed!

    I can't wait to hear more about the bread!

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  3. Aloha, mmmmmmm...
    looks so comforting and delicate all at the same time. I enjoy visiting your blog,
    Aloha wishes from across the sea
    Brandi

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  4. It's snowing here (again) and this could definitely be tomorrow night's dinner! Thanks for your comment. Come to the East Coast and we'll feed you!

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  5. Your soup and dilly bread definitely warmed my soul. Thanks for sharing.

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  6. I could go for that, Kary...being a GA girl, I'm big on beans of all kinds! Sounds fabulous.

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  7. Yummmmm...looks good - I love ham...I wish I was having dinner at yours! xxx PS Glad you loved my comment - made me smile! :) xxx

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  8. MMM, I bet that warmed you up, your recipe reminded me of the French classic, cassoulet.

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  9. Your soup is very elegant and beautiful! I no longer eat meat, but can appreciate how it all comes together... I do eat beans though. ;o) My hubby though still eats meat and would love this. Thank you for sharing the recipe! :o)

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  10. Ah, Bessie's Dilly Bread! The perfect thing if rain is coming!
    We're getting snow again. Not much, but enough to "white knuckle" the morning commute.

    Hope the sun shines on you today!

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  11. OMG, THAT SOUNDS GOOD! I love the wood floors, they look gorgeous! Cindy

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  12. I think everyone in my family will love this one!

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  13. Mmmmmmmm...this is right up my alley! can't wait to see the bread recipe.

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  14. This is one of my favorite meals! I usually cook 'peasant', it's nourishing, simple, good for a body and anything that ails you.
    Bread, soup, cheese, olives, wine. Such is the stuff of life.
    And chocolate. How could I forget chocolate?

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  15. Wonderful! This sounds sooooo good! I'll have to make that for tomorrow - another rainy day... I can probably put it in the slow cooker. What do you think? You inspire me!! Love, Silke

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  16. I can't wait for winter comes and I have this delicious warmy soup with my family :)
    Thanks for sharing this recipe, dear Kary !

    xoxoxoxo

    P.S.: A glass of good white wine goes well, too :)

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  17. Bean soup sounds delicious . I make it too but put some finely chopped curly kale in . Makes it seem even healthier !
    Just seen a jar of Dandelion Jelly in one of your beautiful pictures . What is it ?

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  18. Rain in the forecast? Does that mean you will be going for a walk?! :)

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  19. Oh this looks so good! I think I will make bread today!!!

    ...BrittanButterfly...

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  20. oh yum...i stood in the store with weekend with a bag of white beans in my hand wandering - now i know what to do with them

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  21. This sounds DELICIOUS ooooh and maybe to eat this with that bread... YUM!!!

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Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by. I appreciate all your kind comments more than you can know.