Spanish Bean Soup
Many claim that the leftovers taste even better than the original servings. You can add a ham bone in step 2 to enhance the flavor.
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 12
- ½ pound dried white beans
- Water as needed
- ¼ pound salt pork or bacon, diced
- ½ pound Spanish chorizo, diced or thinly sliced
- 1 stalk celery, finely chopped
- 1 large carrot, peeled and shredded
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ pound smoked ham, diced
- 4 chicken thighs
- 1 cup chicken, pork, or ham broth
- 4 cups water
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- Hot sauce to taste
- 4 large russet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 4 turnips, quartered, and sliced
- 1 small head cabbage, cored and shredded
- 2 cups kale, remove the tough stems and thinly slice
- Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Put the dried beans in an 8-quart stock pot or Dutch oven. Add enough water to cover the beans; cover and let soak overnight.
Drain the beans in a colander. Wipe out the pot and add the salt pork or bacon; cook over medium heat to render the fat. Add the chorizo, celery and carrot; sauté for 3 to 5 minutes, or until soft. Add the onion and sauté until transparent. Add the garlic and sauté for an additional 30 seconds. Stir in the smoked ham. Add the beans and chicken. Stir in the broth, water, Worcestershire, and hot sauce. Bring to a simmer; cover and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Add more water, if needed to keep the pot from boiling dry.
Remove the chicken and set aside. Stir the soup well and then stir in the potatoes and turnips. Add the cabbage and kale; cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Shred the chicken, discarding the skin and bones. Stir the chicken into the soup. Add additional water, if needed. Bring to a simmer, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the beans are tender. Taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper if desired.
Try This with Leftover Bean Soup
Add ½ teaspoon (or more) of cider vinegar and granulated sugar to taste to a bowl of reheated soup. If you want an improvised baked beans effect, stir in a little ketchup, too. Top with minced onion.
