Reviewed: Feb. 10, 2008

This was actually quite good. However I only gave it 4 stars because I had to tweak it quite a bit; so it's a great starter recipe. I soaked the beans overnight and this morning I dumped everything in my crock pot. I pretty much followed the recipe but like some suggested, I used half chicken broth and half water. I didn't have the northern beans so I used regular pot beans that I use for pork & beans. I used 4 carrots and 4 celery stalks with the leaves. I had to add 4 packets of chicken bouillon, some Season All seasoning, lots of pepper & salt because it tasted kind of bland. I used 2 bay leaves and the onion & garlic as per the recipe. Oh and I added a good splash of Franks Red Hot Sauce as someone suggested. I thickened it at the end with a mix of cornstarch & water because I like a thick, hearty soup. I skinned the pork hocks (2 of them)because I was afraid of a lot of grease. I then thought there would not be enough meat so I added 4 pieces of thick sliced bacon (sliced up).. next time I'll add more bacon and perhaps a ham bone if I have one plus ham meat. The end result was very good. Thank you for this recipe, it's going in my KEEPER Recipe Book.

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SNOWBIRD2002

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Home Town: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Living In: Wasaga Beach, Ontario, Canada

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Reviewed: Feb. 10, 2008

This is a keeper. Wonderful flavor. Will just use all ham hock meat next time. Used homemade chicken broth for half the water. Had to add more broth at the end.

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52GLASSACT

Cooking Level: Expert

Home Town: Harlowton, Montana, USA

Living In: Sumner, Washington, USA

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Reviewed: Feb. 10, 2008

I HAVE MADE THIS TWICE NOW, AND HUBBY LOVES IT. HE ASKED TO HAVE IT THE SECOND TIME. IT COMES OUT PERFECT AND DELICIOUS. WHAT A GREAT MEAL ON A COLD WINTERS DAY. THANK YOU.

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GRANNYLIN

Cooking Level: Expert

Living In: Griffith, Indiana, USA

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Reviewed: Feb. 9, 2008

Very good and satisfying soup. I used ham hocks alone with pieces of ham. I didn't have dry beans but did have one of the ginormous cans of great northern beans in the pantry and used those instead. It was wonderful.

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Jean

Home Town: Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, USA

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Reviewed: Feb. 2, 2008

I made this back in Dec. when my sister and her family were visiting and I had a ham bone in the freezer waiting to be used. I soaked the beans overnight, and used some chicken broth (I think I only had one can) in place of some of the water. It was so delicious! Everybody loved it! I'm wishing I had a ham bone right now, because this soup would really hit the spot on this cold, snowy day. Yum, yum!

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HBAnderson

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Reviewed: Jan. 20, 2008

So so good. So flavorful. I did use chicken base to use all chicken broth. I think that did a lot for the flavor. Family raved. This'll be my go to ham and beans soup. (Oh, and I live at a high elevation> it was taking FOREVER to cook. I put in in the crockpot for the next day. I guess that's the best way for me to make this.)

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BECKTY

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Home Town: Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA

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Reviewed: Jan. 12, 2008

The soup was great, everybody in my family loved it. It was my first time making bean soup and it turned out excellent. I think it might even be better then my grandmothers bean soup which is legendary. I took some advice from other reviews. I used 4 cups chicken broth in place of half the water. I also soaked my beans over night. I used two smoked hocks along with my ham bone which I let simmer for six hours before discarding bone and fat. I added one tsp of cayenne and eight oz. can of tomato sauce. I also took the advice to add more vegtables then the recipe called for. I added three potatoes cut into small wedges. Let it simmer all day and you will have one of the best bean soups ever.

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Johnny Mac

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Home Town: Hutchinson, Minnesota, USA

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Reviewed: Jan. 7, 2008

This soup was good...but A little dry. Next time I'll add more water.

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Dee

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Reviewed: Jan. 7, 2008

This was excellent but the beans were hard as a rock!!!! You definately need to boil the beans MUCH longer or soak them overnight. I simmered mine the whole night and they were "just" tender - but an awesome taste!!!!!

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hjk458

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Living In: Schnecksville, Pennsylvania, USA

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Reviewed: Jan. 4, 2008

I made this soup last wknd and it was great! I used half water/chicken broth combo and cooked it in the crock pot on low for 6-8 hrs. I'll be making this again-Thanks! :-)

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kellyandjoey'smom

Cooking Level: Expert

Home Town: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

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Reviewed: Jan. 2, 2008

Most excellent! had an organic ham at christmas and wanted to utilize every bite so this was the perfect recipe. did not change a thing!

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pjlee123

Cooking Level: Expert

Living In: Lutz, Florida, USA

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Reviewed: Jan. 2, 2008

This is the best Ham and Bean Soup I have come across. I make this recipe often, especially when a taste for Ham and Bean Soup comes over my family. It is soo good!!

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SUE MELOCHE

Cooking Level: Expert

Home Town: Clinton Township, Michigan, USA

Living In: Sterling Heights, Michigan, USA

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Reviewed: Jan. 2, 2008

This was very tasty. I made a few changes. I soaked my beans overnight. I put everything in the crockpot on low before I went to a brunch and it was done by the time I got back. There weren't enough carrots/celery/onions. I ended up using 1 1/2c chopped onion, 2 stalks celery, chopped, and four carrots, sliced. I also added more garlic. (I can't be the only person who saw '1 tsp' and scoffed. We love garlic here!)It tasted a little flat so I also added one cube of bouillon, another 1/2 teaspoon of pepper, and about a tablespoon of chipotle hot sauce. It didn't make it spicy at all, just gave the soup some body. (It IS 8 cups of water! A little hot sauce won't make it spicy, even for the little ones) I also didn't add any chopped ham. My ham hock had quite a lot of meat on it so after six hours in the crockpot, it fell right off the bone. I shredded it and added it back to the pot.

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CAMCHES

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Living In: Oberlin, Ohio, USA

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Reviewed: Jan. 2, 2008

Absolutely the BEST bean soup I've ever made. Good the first day; fantastic the second day or later. I'll never throw another ham bone away again!!!

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SOUZACHEF

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Reviewed: Jan. 1, 2008

I made this soup tonight and it turned out great with the adaptations of other reviews. I used chicken stock instead of water. Pureed about 4 cups of the mixture half way through for added thickness. I added 3 potatoes and a can of tomatoes. I also soaked the beans over night and put it all in a crock pot for another 8 hours on High. It taste great and it was very easy to make.

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Holl5604

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Reviewed: Jan. 1, 2008

This was a wonderful hearty meal, everyone loved it.

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Shelley

Cooking Level: Expert

Home Town: Owatonna, Minnesota, USA

Living In: Salem, New Hampshire, USA

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Reviewed: Jan. 1, 2008

This was amazingly good!I added some elbow macaroni to it and it was a huge hit with everyone in my family. My husband wanted to heat it back up the next night (his night to cook) but it was gone by lunch time!

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ArmyWife02

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Home Town: Ocean Springs, Mississippi, USA

Living In: Jacksonville, Arkansas, USA

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Reviewed: Dec. 30, 2007

THIS WAS AN EXCELLENT RECIPE. I SOAKED THE BEANS OVERNIGHT AND PUT IN IN THE CROCKPOT. THE ONLY ADJUSTMENTS I MADE WAS TO ADD ONLY 3 CUPS OF WATER AND A CAN OF BEEFY MUSHROOM SOUP. EXCELLENT!!!!!!!

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newideasformom

Cooking Level: Intermediate

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Reviewed: Dec. 20, 2007

Very tasty, will make again. Did lower the salt to 1/4 teaspoon as suggested and it was perfect.

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Dee B

Cooking Level: Expert

Living In: West Chester, Pennsylvania, USA

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Reviewed: Dec. 19, 2007

Fantastic bean soup! Made only a couple changes, boiled the beans in large pot of water for 10 min.with 1/2 tsp. baking soda then soaked overnight-drained and rinsed in morning.(I hate hard beans) I used a leftover honey baked ham bone from our christmas party. Used 4 cups water and 4 cups chicken broth. 1 tsp. garlic powder instead of garlic clove. No celery-only because i dislike it cooked. placed all in crockpot on low before I left for work. The only bad part was I didn't get to smell it cooking all day. Very, very good.

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