Garlic Lovers White Bean Soup

Serves: unknown. I will let you know when I try this!

In addition to the 60 minutes of prep time, this recipe requires 4 and 1/2 hours in the crockpot.

2 cups great northern beans
1 tsp. baking soda
12 cups hot water
2 tablespoons instant chicken bouillon granules
1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1 bay leaf
10-15 garlic cloves, separated but unpeeled
3 onions, peeled & coarsely chopped
1 shallot, chopped
5 medium carrots, coarsely chopped
4 stalks celery, chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 cup lean ham, cubed
salt & pepper

1. Soak beans for eight hours or overnight, with 1 tsp. baking soda in the water. Drain beans and rinse.

2. Place beans, water, chicken broth powder, onions, carrots, celery, rosemary, thyme and bay leaf in a a slow cooker. Cook on High for 2 hours.

3. Meanwhile, place garlic cloves in foil; roast at 350F for 30 minutes. Let cool and set aside.

4. Add ham cubes, if using. Reduce to Low and cook approximately 4 hours.

5. Remove about 1 cup of the soup from the pot and place in a bowl. Cut open the garlic and press it out of the skins into the bowl. Blend until smooth with a hand mixer. Add back to the crockpot.

6. Let it cook another 1/2 hour to blend the flavors. Remove the bay leaf before serving.