Ham And Bean Chowder

Total Time: 48 hrs 30 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 48 hrs

Ingredients

• 1 lb dried great northern beans
• 2 cups chopped onions
• 1 cup sliced celery
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 3 tablespoons butter or 3 tablespoons margarine
• 1 meaty ham bone
• 2 cups water
• 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can chicken broth
• 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can stewed tomatoes
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 whole cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 2 cups milk
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Recipe

• 1 place beans in a dutch oven or soup kettle.
• 2 add water to cover by 2 inches.
• 3 bring to a boil; boil for 2 minutes.
• 4 remove from heat; cover and let stand for 1 hour.
• 5 drain beans and discard liquid.
• 6 in same kettle, saute onion, celery, and garlic in butter until tender.
• 7 add beans, ham bone, water, broth, tomatoes, bay leaves, cloves, and pepper; bring to a boil.
• 8 reduce heat; cover and simmer for 2 hours.
• 9 remove ham bone; bay leaves, and cloves.
• 10 when cool enough to handle, remove ham from bone; cut into small pieces and return to soup.
• 11 chill for 8 hours, or overnight.
• 12 skim fat from soup.
• 13 stir in milk; cook on low until heated through.
• 14 just before serving, stir in cheese.
• 15 enjoy!