Ham and Great Northern Bean Soup

Ingredients

• 1 thick slice fully cooked ham with bone
• 2 tablespoons butter , divided
• 1 medium onion , diced
• 2 medium carrots , diced
• 1 clove garlic , minced
• 1 , 16 ounce
• 2 cups water , or as needed
• 2 large bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoons ground black pepper

Instructions

1. 1

   Remove ham from the bone; cut meat into bite-sized pieces. Reserve the bone.

2. 2

   Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add ham; cook and stir until lightly browned, about 4 minutes.

3. 3

   At the same time, melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter in a large saucepan. Add onion, carrots, and garlic; cook and stir until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.

4. 4

   Pour undrained beans into vegetable mixture. Add ham, reserved ham bone, water, and bay leaves; season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 25 minutes, adding more water if a thinner consistency is desired.

5. 5

   Remove ham bone and bay leaves before serving.