Savory Holiday Ham & Bean Soup Recipe: A Festive Twist

Ingredients

• A package of dried lima beans weighing 16 ounces
• 2 quarts of water
• A ham bone with some meat on it
• A large onion, sliced
• 3 tablespoons of brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce
• A dash of hot pepper sauce (Optional)
• 1 teaspoon of dry mustard
• A sprinkle of salt

Step 1

In a large bowl, immerse lima beans in water, ensuring they are fully covered, and allow them to soak for 8 hours or overnight for optimal tenderness.

Step 2

Next, in a pot, combine water, a savory ham bone, and diced onion, bringing them to a vigorous boil. Lower the heat, cover the pot, and gently simmer until the onion reaches a delightful tenderness, typically around 1 hour.

Step 3

After draining and rinsing the lima beans, introduce them to the pot alongside the ham bone. Enhance the flavors with a touch of brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, a hint of hot sauce, a dash of dry mustard, and a pinch of salt. Let the mixture simmer, covered, for approximately 2 hours. Uncover the pot and continue simmering until the beans reach a desired level of tenderness, which usually takes an additional 30 minutes.

Step 4

To complete the dish, carefully extract the ham bone from the soup, shred the meat into bite-sized pieces, and reunite it with the savory broth. Discard the bone, allowing the soup to be enriched with the savory ham essence.