HAMBONE SOUP RECIPE RECIPES

Steps:

• Rinse peas well in cold water and add to a large cooking pot.
• Measure 8 cups of water and add to cooking pot.
• Bring to boil, remove from heat, cover and let sit for 1 hour.
• Return to stove and bring back to boil.
• Add ham bone, carrots, onions, celery, bay leaf, beef bouillon, salt, peppercorns and dried thyme.
• Reduce heat to simmer, cover and cook for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.
• Remove ham bone and cut off any remaining ham, cut into bite size pieces and return to soup.
• Discard ham bone.
• If there are big pieces of ham in the soup, remove, cut into bite size pieces and return to soup.
• Remove bay leaf and discard.
• Adjust seasonings to taste.
• If you desire a smooth soup, then puree' in batches in a food processor or blender.
• Or eat the soup without puree'ing.
• If soup is too thick, add more water to your desired consistency.
• Beef broth or chicken broth may be added, just reduce the water by the amounts used.
• Smoked ham hocks are excellent to use instead of a ham bone.
• If there is not enough ham on the ham bone, then add additional ham of your choice.
• You may also use about 1/4 teaspoon of Liquid Hickory Smoke, to get a smokey flavor.
• You may also use whole peas, but it will take a bit longer to cook these peas so that they are tender.

Steps:

• Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the bacon and cook until crisp, 5 to 7 minutes; remove with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate.
• Add the carrots, celery and onion to the pot. Stir until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute. Drop in the ham bone and bay leaf. Cover with 8 cups water and 2 teaspoons salt. Bring to a boil over high heat; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 20 minutes. Stir in the cabbage and simmer 30 minutes. Add the beans and simmer 15 minutes. Stir in the kale and simmer until soft, but vibrantly green, about 15 minutes. Season with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt (or more to taste). Add lots of pepper and a dash of hot sauce or vinegar. Serve with crumbled bacon on top.