Soups and Starters Recipes - Smoked Ham and Bean Soup with Garlic Recipe

  
 

Soups and Starters Recipes - Smoked Ham and Bean Soup with Garlic Recipe

Ingredients

Serve 4

  • 375 g/12 oz dried borlotti or cannellini beans

  • 2 liters/3 1/2 pints water

  • 1 carrot, chopped

  • 1 onion, quartered

  • 1 bouquet garni

  • 125 g/4 oz cooked smoked ham, diced

  • 40 g/1 1/2 oz butter

  • 2 shallots, finely chopped

  • 1 garlic clove, crushed

  • 1 tablespoon chopped parsley

  • salt and pepper

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped parsley, to garnish

  • 125 g/4 oz croutons, to serve

Method:

  1. Soak the beans overnight in cold water, then drain. Put the beans in a large saucepan with the water and a pinch of salt.

  2. Bring to the boil over a medium heat. Add the carrot, onion, bouquet garni and ham and simmer for 2 hours, or until the beans are tender.

  3. Remove the bouquet garni and transfer the soup to a food processor or blender. Process to a puree, return it to the pan and reheat over a medium heat.

  4. Melt the butter in a heavy-based frying pan. Add the shallots and garlic and fry until golden. Add the chopped parsley and mix quickly.

  5. Turn off the heat and add this mixture to the bean puree. Mix well with a wooden spoon and season with pepper.

  6. Pour the soup into warmed individual bowls and garnish with parsley. Serve the croutons separately.