Sometimes I save a recipe and it takes years for me to get around to making it. Most I’ve never made and probably will never make, despite my best intentions. And sometimes a recipe finds me at just the right moment, like this one, when I’m craving it, or I happen to have everything needed to make it.
This soup really is quite effortless. Mary’s recipe is easy to begin with, as it is made in the slow cooker, but I cut out the step of soaking the beans overnight and now it’s even easier! When I make refried beans in the slow cooker, I don’t soak them overnight and the beans cook up just fine and soft without the soak, so I just used the same amount of water for the soup as if I was making refried beans and it worked great.
Dennis made a point to tell me several times that this soup was “really good.” Like I mentioned before, I usually have to pull food opinions from him like teeth, so for him to offer this one up so many times tells you how good it is. I prefer a ham and bean soup without tomatoes or spices, but did like the addition of the carrots and onions and will definitely include those from now on. This is a quick, nearly effortless meal to throw into the crock before work and when you get home, you can serve some hearty, warm comfort to your family. And don’t forget the cornbread. :)
Effortless Ham and White Bean Soup
Printable recipe
Printable recipe with picture
1 pound dry Cannellini or Great Northern white beans, rinsed
1 large onion, chopped
2 carrots, peeled and sliced
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1-1/2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning (or ½ teaspoon each oregano, basil, and parsley)
8 ounces ham, diced (I used ham steak)
9 cups water
1 (14 1/2 oz) can stewed tomatoes, undrained
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
In a large crockpot, combine all the ingredients and cook on low for 8 hours. Mash some of the beans to make the soup creamier if desired. Serve hot.
Recipe source: adapted from One Perfect Bite
***
I recently finished the book The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce. During a walk that originally should have ended at the post office but led him cross country in an effort to reach an old friend dying of cancer, with the unlikely hope his pilgrimage might save her, Harold realized something that resonated with me. Not wanting to squander his retirement, he eventually depended upon the kindness of others during his journey. He realizes, “It was as much a gift to receive as it was to give, requiring as it did both courage & humility.”
I thought of Suzie then, because she has exhibited such courage and humility in the face of her inability to pay for an operation she needs. She has been so thankful in her communications with me, and now extends her gratitude to everyone on her blog today. (You can read it here if you haven’t already.) I think it does take incredible courage and humility to admit you need help and frankly, Suzie, I think we can all say that it truly was a gift to pitch in whatever way we could, if only with well wishes and prayers. We all wish you the best, and thank you for the chance to join with others to make a difference for the better. <3
Veronica's Cornucopia 
Talk about the warming and delicious stew! Perfect for the lousy rainy weather we have over here.
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I always crave soups & stews on cold & rainy/snow days.
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Biz directed me to your blog after I asked about good blogs to read and follow and yes, I like your blog. I love cooking too but I live in Holland and we have different measurements so recalculating everything is too much time. Besides that I have about 90 cook books and way too many recipes to make them the rest of my life :) But I love reading about food and sometimes I see recipes on English blogs that I have in Dutch somewhere and I can make my own version.
Feel free to visit my blog if you have the time and feel like it.
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Oh forgot: it’s http://www.dutchgirlgetshealthy.com
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The book sounds like a great read, I’m off to look into it, thank you !
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I enjoyed it. It wasn’t a riveting, heart pounding tale, but it was well written and a good story. :)
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Veronica- my daughter (who is in college in KC) likes to use a crockpot for cooking suppers for her boyfriend and herself. She just asked me this weekend how to make ham & beans in her crockpot. Perfect that you posted this today! I sent her the link to your recipe. She’s going to love it!
I make beans in the crockpot all the time. All crockpots cook at different heats so I wasn’t sure how to tell her to do this (and I usually soak my beans overnight, but I typically cook pintos or limas). However, I just love great northerns! (Usually I have to have fried potatoes to go with…)
We like to take the Christmas ham and make New Years beans and this recipe will be something to look forward to at my house.
Thanks for posting. Looks yum! (Definitely cornbread is a must!)
I’ll let you know if my daughter has success with this (which I am sure she will).
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My crockpot is new and I’ve discovered it cooks a lot faster than my 1980s crockpot, which takes TWO days to cook a roast (no joke). I wouldn’t try to cook them without soaking first if she’s using an old crock pot.
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This looks like a gorgeous soup my friend though effortless makes it better ;)
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
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For sure.
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Veronica, this sounds delicious. We are starting to cloud up here and that means our winter rains are on the way. This will be perfect to fight the damp and cold. Have a great day. Blessings…Mary
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You should know, Mary, it’s your recipe! lol! Yup, nothing warms the soul like hot soup on a frigid day.
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I do a version even more simple than this :) Perfect with cornbread and these (Northern) chilly nights. You did say your nights were getting chilly too though. I was supposed to make chicken noodle soup for today but, I switched that until tomorrow :)
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My favorite ham and bean is more simple, without the tomatoes and spices. I just like the beans and ham plain but Dennis liked this so I blogged it. Yup, it’s defnitely chilly, we had to turn on the heater a couple weeks ago! I was so mad-wanted to wait until later. Oh well!
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Did you say effortless and it looks this good? It’s summer down under but I could still enjoy a bowl of this.
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It must be strange visiting blogs where we’re shivering while you’re sweating-the food is always opposite! Enjoy your iced drinks! lol
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I have a ham bone in the freezer and this sounds perfect! I may even use canned beans and shorten the time in the crockpot. Hubby will be very pleased with this meal! And a good excuse to make cornbread :)
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The only thing better than effortless is effortless & quick! And yes, gotta have that cornbread. :)
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this looks so yummy. i haven’t had ham in soooo long.
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I’m super independent, so it was really hard for me to be “weak” and accept help from others during the times when I was very sick. This post reminded me to give thanks for all those who helped me out along the way, and thanks to God for giving me the humility and courage to accept them.
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