Soup Beans

Soup Beans

from southernliving.com
Dinner
680 min
8 servings

Appalachian soup beans are super tender and earthy from the garlic, herbs, bacon, and ham bone. These beans are made more robust by using two types of pork and adding vegetables like bell pepper and celery. Chow-chow brightens up this dish with vinegar and crunch.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb.fds
  • 6thick-cut, applewood-smoked bacon slices, chopped
  • 1 mediumyellow onion, chopped (1 3/4 cups)
  • 1 largered bell pepper, chopped (1 1/4 cups)
  • 2medium-size celery stalks, chopped (about 2/3 cup)
  • 2 tbsp.minced garlic (from 3 garlic cloves)
  • 8 cupschicken stock
  • 1ham bone
  • 1dried bay leaf
  • ½ tsp.crushed red pepper
  • 1 tbsp.chopped fresh thyme
  • ¼ cupchow-chow
  • thinly sliced scallions
  • cornbread

Directions

  1. 1

    Soak beans: Place beans in a large bowl; add water to cover beans by 2 inches. Soak beans 8 hours or up to 12 hours. Drain beans, and set aside.

  2. 2

    Cook bacon: Heat a Dutch oven over medium. Add bacon; cook, stirring occasionally, until rendered and crispy, 6 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate; set aside. Do not wipe Dutch oven clean.

  3. 3

    Cook vegetables: Add onion, bell pepper, and celery to drippings in Dutch oven. Cook over medium-high, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender and lightly browned, about 6 minutes. Add garlic; cook, stirring often, until fragrant, about 1 minute.

  4. 4

    Add beans, stock, ham, and seasonings: Add soaked pinto beans, stock, ham bone, bay leaf, and crushed red pepper. Bring to boil over medium-high; cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until beans are very tender but still retain their shape, about 2 hours. Uncover and cook until liquid thickens slightly, about 30 minutes.

  5. 5

    Garnish and serve: Remove from heat, and stir in thyme. Divide soup evenly among bowls, and top each serving evenly with chow-chow, scallions, and reserved bacon. Serve with cornbread.