Edith’s White bean + ham soup recipe

Hello dear friend!

I took a break for a few weeks and I missed you. It was restorative, a wonderful time to reflect and plan on what I want to share in 2024 from my little corner of the web with you.

I realized a few things, while I share lots of home decor ideas that are budget friendly, and a few recipes, I have not shared the other frugal ways we live!

I was so excited when I realized that the list is quite long, I wrote it all out and there were so many ideas I cannot wait to share with you.

So, today I am sharing an all time favorite that is perfect for this time of year. The new year is just about here and in our home it’s all about using what we have in our pantry and freezer.

I freeze every chicken for stock and ham bone for soup. Organize my food storage by date and create as many meals as I can using what we have. I typically only need some fresh fruits and veggies, and some dairy from the store during this season.

I recently found an almost new bread machine on Facebook Marketplace for $15. I typically use the machine to save a ton of time mixing and raising dough for homemade rolls and breads.

With a pot of soup simmering on the stove or in my slow cooker, this gives me time to go thru my pantry and plan weeks of meals. You will see that I do not share the cost breakdown on recipes I post. I know how much I paid for a ham, how many meals I was able to make with it before I froze the bone and remaining meat for a later delicious soup. But food costs vary depending on where and when we purchase food, what types of ingredients we purchase (organic or conventional etc..) and if they were on sale or purchased in bulk.

We have all seen the recipe that notes it is $7.98 per serving and I know I could make the whole thing for $7.98 based on my food costs and buying strategies. But, if a person does not or is not able to stock up when meat is on a crazy good sale, or they are just getting started building their home pantry, these costs will vary. I make bone broth and store it for future use, use dried beans the majority of the time, so my cost will be different that the next home cook.

My goal in money saving cooking is not to make cheap recipes, but nourishing, nutrient dense foods that don’t break your grocery budget. I don’t track the calories or fat content in the foods that I make because I am not as concerned with a calorie count when the nutritional value of a rich bone broth outweighs a fat-free option. I highly recommend the book Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon. I cannot tell you how much this book changed how I see food.

I will not go on about preventative eating (that is for another post lol) but I will say once you begin to add in homemade, nutrient-dense foods, you will find yourself on the outskirts of the grocery store not looking back at the aisles that made us broke and sick. Cooking less and less for convenience and more like our ancestors did.

My grandma made ham soup when I was a kid and my tastes at the time for salty, processed foods were not in line with the way she cooked. I did not realize how amazing her simple way of cooking was, that is until I had my own grocery budget to manage, and a handful of health problems that could only be tamed by changing my relationship with corn dogs and cans of soda.

She survived the depression, many hard and lean times in her life, and rode her bike around town in her homemade jeans. LONG before women wore pants in public. I don’t think she realized how progressive she was. But her name was Edith and she taught me everything I know about loving God, growing food and how to create a delicious meal and a lovely home on a budget.

This one is for you grandma, your legacy lives on in every pot of soup and mended sock around our home.

You can simmer this on the stovetop for a couple of hours or throw it in your slow cooker on low all day for a hearty, nourishing, homemade meal for your family!

Here is how Edith (and I) make ham and bean soup…

1 pound of white or navy beans soaked overnight or using the 1 hour quick soak method

1 leftover ham bone with meat or smoked ham hock (note- this soup is AMAZING without the ham too)

8 cups of vegetable or chicken stock/bone broth

1 chopped onion

3 cloves of garlic minced

4 stalks of celery diced

5-6 good sized carrots peeled and sliced

1 t. dried thyme

Black pepper and salt to taste

3 T. olive or avocado oil (only needed if cooking on the stovetop)

This one is easy, add everything to your slow cooker or stock pot (if using a stock pot saute the veggies in the oil then add everything else.) and put it on low for 6-8 hours (in the slow cooker- on the stovetop 90-120 minutes and it should be ready)

Remove the ham bone and allow to cool, remove the remaining ham and discard bones.

Toast your bread or make a salad to go with this rich, nourishing soup and make sure to Pin for later!

Thank you so much as always for reading friend, I am so inspired, encouraged and excited for this new year that is upon us.

Until next time, stay cozy and hug those you love, after all that’s what it’s all about anyways right?

Hugs, xx Tanya