Description
Senate bean soup reveals a classic Washington D.C. culinary tradition passed down through congressional kitchens. Hearty navy beans, ham, and simple ingredients combine for a comforting midday meal that connects diners with political history.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (454 grams) dried great northern beans or dried navy beans
- 1 meaty ham bone or 2 smoked ham hocks
- 3 medium onions, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 celery ribs, chopped
- ¼ cup minced fresh parsley
- 1 cup (240 ml) mashed potatoes or ⅓ cup (40 g) instant potato flakes
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Minced parsley or chives for garnish
Instructions
- Bean Preparation: Meticulously clean navy beans, discarding any imperfect legumes. Immerse beans in a large Dutch oven with water, ensuring complete coverage. Bring to a rapid boil for 2 minutes, then remove from heat and let steep for 1-4 hours.
- Initial Cooking: Drain and rinse soaked beans, return to Dutch oven with ham hocks and fresh water. Initiate a vigorous boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for 2 hours until beans become creamy and meat begins to separate from the bone.
- Vegetable Integration: Add potatoes, garlic, celery, salt, and black pepper. Continue simmering for an additional hour, allowing flavors to harmonize and vegetables to tenderize.
- Meat Processing: Extract ham bones and cool briefly. Carefully separate meat from bones, discarding connective tissue and excess fat. Chop meat into bite-sized morsels and reintroduce to the pot.
- Final Touches: Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Maintain low heat to preserve flavor intensity. Immediately before serving, garnish with freshly chopped parsley or chives to introduce a vibrant, herbaceous element to the robust soup.
Notes
- Inspect Beans Carefully: Remove any stones, damaged, or discolored beans to ensure a clean, high-quality soup base.
- Soak Beans Strategically: Extended soaking helps break down complex sugars, reducing potential digestive discomfort and shortening overall cooking time.
- Choose Meat Wisely: Ham hocks or bone provide deep, rich flavor; select high-quality, meaty bones for maximum taste and tender meat texture.
- Season Gradually: Add salt towards the end of cooking to prevent beans from becoming tough and to control the final seasoning profile.
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg