NORTHERN BEAN SOUP

By nurseliz

Ingredients

• 1 Pound dried great northern beans
• 1 meaty ham bone or 2 smoked ham hocks
• 8 cups water
• a large onion, chopped
• 3 celery ribs, diced
• 2 medium carrots, shredded
• salt to taste
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1/2 sp dried thyme
• 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes in puree
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1-1/2 cups finely shredded fresh spinach

Preparation

Step 1

Sort and rinse beans. Place in a Dutch oven; cover with water and bring to a boil. Boil 2 minutes. Remove from heat; let stand 1 hour. Drain beans and discard liquid. Drain beans and discard liquid.

In the same pan, add the ham bone, water and beans. Bring to a boil. Reduce
heat; cover and simmer for 1-1/2 hours or until meat easily falls from the bone,

Remove bone from broth; cool. Trim meat from the bone. Discard bone. Add the ham, onion, celery, carrots, salt, pepper and thyme to bean mixure. Cover and simmer for 1 hour or until beans are tender.

Add tomatoes and brown sugar. Cook 10 minutes. Just before serving, add spinach.