Ham Bone and Bean Soup

Ingredients

• 1 package 15-bean soup mix , 16 ounce
• 6 cups chicken stock
• 1 ham bone with some meat
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 cup chopped carrots
• 0.5 stalks celery , chopped
• 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
• 2 bays leaves
• 2 cups chopped ham
• 2 tablespoons liquid smoke flavoring
• 1.5 tablespoons ground mustard powder
• salt and ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. 1

   Place bean mix into a large bowl and cover with several inches of water; soak for at least 24 hours. Drain completely.

2. 2

   Bring chicken stock to a boil in a pot large enough to hold the beans and, eventually, the ham bone. When boiling, add soaked beans. Reduce the heat and simmer until tender, about 1 hour.

3. 3

   Return stock and beans to a boil. Add ham bone, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, and bay leaves. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until vegetables are soft, about 1 hour. Add chopped ham, liquid smoke, and mustard powder. Stir and let simmer until flavors blend, about 30 more minutes.

4. 4

   Remove ham bone from the soup. Season with salt and pepper before serving.