Don't Know What To Do With Ham Bone?

Last night I was going to make Barb's Ham and Potato Bake with the left over ham from New Years, but realized I forgot to buy the asparagus for it. After cutting into the bite sized chunks the required amount for the recipe and freezing it until the next grocery shopping trip, I still had this wonderful ham bone with lots of meat left on it. What to do, what to do? Then I remembered this wonderful recipe I had for a easy, delicious ham soup. It called for dry northern beans but I used what I had on hand: two cans of Navy Beans. And it worked wonderfully. Served with a nice hearty bread, I had focaccia on hand, it makes a tasty, filling dinner.

HAM BONE SOUP

-1 ham bone with some meat still left on it

-1 or 2 Tbsp. oil

-1 large onion, chopped

-2 large carrots, chopped into small bite sized chunks

-2 large stalks celery, diced into small bite sized pieces

-1 cup of tomato sauce

-8 cups of water

-2 large cans navy beans

-1 Tbsp. or 2 packets of instant beef boullion

-1 tsp. salt (optional)

-1/2 tsp. pepper

-1 clove garlic, crushed

-2 cups of mashed potatoes

Heat oil in a dutch oven, when hot add the chopped onions and saute for about 5 minutes. Add the diced carrots and celery, and saute a few minutes more. Carefully pour in the water and tomato sauce. Add ham bone, bouillion salt, pepper and garlic. Pour beans into a colander and give it quick rinse, drain and add to pot. Bring to gentle boil and then simmer softly for 45 minutes.

Remove ham bone from the pot carefully and put on plate or bowl. Add the mashed potatoes and stir until smooth. When cool enough to handle, remove meat from the bone, cut into bite sized chunks and re-add into the soup.

Serve with a hearty bread.