Slow Cooker White Bean Beer and Ham Soup

 

 

Maybe you had ham for Christmas. Maybe you’re that person. I am, sometimes. Unless I want to make a turkey. Or pot roast. But ham is a great holiday offering. The only problem is how much you have left over. Mostly because you can’t have a small ham, you have to have a gigantic ham. This creates an issue of what to do with all that ham you have left over.  Ham and bean soup is a tradition in my life; and to be honest, I like it even better than the original ham dinner. It’s like a bonus gift this holiday season, a warm soup that takes so little effort and even freezes well. Happy holidays, people.

Ingredients:

    1 large ham bone
    1 cup chopped ham
    1 cup white onion, chopped
    2 celery ribs, chopped
    1 large carrot, chopped
    2 cloves garlic, minced
    1 lb. Great Northern beans, rinsed
    6 cups chicken broth
    12 ounces pale ale
    Salt and pepper to taste
    1 cup fresh shaved parmesan cheese
    1 cup baby arugula

Directions:

    In a large slow cooker stir together the ham bone, ham, white onion, celery, carrot, garlic, beans, broth and beer.
    Cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or until beans are tender.
    Salt and pepper to taste.
    Ladle into bowls, top with shaved Parmesan and baby arugula.