Green Bean Soup with Ham Hock

The flavour of fresh green beans and herbs combined with smoked ham is superb!

                      This is old-fashioned home cooking at its finest, which takes time, so it’s a project for a day when you’ll be at home for a couple of hours.  It makes lots though, so pair it with crusty rolls for a light family meal when the kids are home or freeze some of it in quarts for another day.  It’s hearty and filling and you’ll definitely want a second helping!

Recipe:

Put the pork hock in a large soup pot with 2 quarts water.  Heat to boiling, then simmer for 1 1/2 hours.  Remove pork hock and allow to cool.

Meanwhile add to the broth:

• 2 chopped medium-sized onions
• 4 cups cut-up green beans
• 3 cups cubed yellow-flesh potatoes
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley (cilantro really sparks up the flavour)
• 4 sprigs chopped fresh summer savory or 1 teaspoon dried savory (or marjoram or thyme if you don’t have savory)
• dash of pepper

Added salt is not necessary as the pork hock is already salty and the herbs, beans and pepper make the soup very flavourful.

Cut the meat off the bone in bite-size pieces and return it into the soup.  Cook for 20 more minutes or until the vegetables are done.

When serving pour a little table cream into the soup in your bowl.  Enjoy!