Smoked Ham And White Bean Soup

• 1 lb of white beans or 4 cans of white beans-drain some of the sauce
• 32 oz of chicken broth (can sub water or add additional water if needed)
• 16 oz can of diced tomatoes
• 1 large potato, diced
• 2-3 lbs of ham shanks or leftover hock
• Additional ham, diced (preferably use a dry-cured or smoked ham leftovers)
• 1 cup of diced onions
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 2/3 cup chopped carrots
• 4 cloves garlic, diced
• Hot sauce like Cholula (four shakes)
• Cayenne chili powder to taste (tsp-ish)
• Salt and pepper
• Tsp Thyme, Cumin, Coriander, Dry Mustard
• Bay leaf

1. Score ham bones and put in bottom of large crock pot.
2. Add onion, garlic, tomatoes, beans, chili powder, carrots, celery, thyme, cumin, coridander, mustard, and bay leaf.
3. Cover with chicken stock.
4. Set crockpot to HIGH for as long as possible.
5. If using dried beans, once high cycle completes, set to LOW for as long a possible.
6. When cooked, remove ham bones.
7. Puree some of the beans/veggies to thicken the broth if desired

white beans, chicken broth, tomatoes, potato, ham shanks, ham, onions, celery, carrots, garlic, cholula, cayenne chili powder, salt, thyme, bay leaf

Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/member/views/smoked-ham-and-white-bean-soup-50029827 (may not work)