White Bean Soup

By The Southern Lady Cooks

Ingredients

1/2 or 1 pound Great Northern dried beans (I used a half pound in this recipe. If you use a pound of beans, double the ingredients)
4 or 5 cups water
Ham hock (bacon pieces, or bacon grease for seasoning)
1 small onion (chopped)
2 cups chopped okra
1 cup celery (chopped)
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
2 bay leaves
1 4 ounce can green chilis, drained
1 14.5 ounce can chicken broth
1 14.5 ounce can petite diced tomatoes, undrained
1 teaspoon salt or to taste

Prep Time60mins
Cook Time20mins
Servings10

Instructions

Soak beans according to package directions, add to pot and cover with water. Add ham or seasoning meat and onion, celery, okra, garlic, chili powder, black pepper and bay leaves to pot.

Cook until beans are tender (about an hour on simmer) adding more water if needed. Once beans are tender, add chicken broth, tomatoes, and green chilis. Cook another 15 or 20 minutes. Add salt to taste. (Never add salt to beans while cooking. It makes the beans tough). Makes 8 to 10 servings.