White Bean Soup for a Crowd

This hearty, easy soup is a filling and economical solution to feeding a crowd for supper. Serve it with a salad and cornbread or crusty whole grain bread for a delicious meal.

Step: 1

Sort and wash beans according to package directions. Place in a 3 1/2-quart or larger slow cooker. Fill the cooker with water to capacity. Soak without turning on the cooker, 8 hours to overnight.

Step: 2

Drain excess water and refill cooker with fresh water. Turn cooker to Low and cook until beans are soft, about 8 hours.

Step: 3

Heat oil in a large soup pot over medium-low heat. Add onions and carrots; cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are soft and carrots begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Add ham, tomatoes, and garlic and let simmer for another 5 minutes.

Step: 4

Puree about 2/3 of the cooked beans in small batches in a blender or food processor, using the bean broth to help puree and adding extra water if needed. Add puree and remaining whole beans to the soup pot; add enough water to bring soup to desired thickness. Stir in parsley, thyme, celery salt, salt, and pepper. Simmer slowly, stirring occasionally, until soup is hot and all vegetables are soft, about 20 minutes.

Per Serving: 331 calories; protein 18.6g; carbohydrates 40.8g; fat 11.1g; cholesterol 15.9mg; sodium 487.6mg.

The word “stew” can refer to both a dish and a make dishes method. Stewing makes slowly cooking piece of meat, raw fruit or beans in a tastefull liquid . It’s similar to braising, instead it makes have a few piece of differences. The raw animal vested is chopped into smaller pieces instead of being cooked all of it , and the liquid all of it covers the essential in a stew as compared to a braise’s halfway full . When meat or raw fruit are cooked using this method, the resulting dish is called stew.

Stew has a reputation for being a rib-sticking eating process that warms you up on a cold , winter day. It’s right that ; a bowl of classic beef stew does have warming properties , but stew’s comfort factor more than a way beyond protecting you from the chill . It’s all about those soft and chunks of food and vegetables, swimming in a thick, ultra-rich gravy. The way they come together make the ultimate comfort food, no matter the weather.