Recipe: Hearty Ham and Bean Stew (crock pot)

HEARTY HAM AND BEAN STEW

1 (1 lb.) bag Great Northern beans (soaked overnight, drained and rinsed)
2 medium potatoes, diced
1/2 medium onion, chopped
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups chopped ham (boiled or smoked)
1 (15 oz.) can tomato sauce
2 cans (14 oz. each) low sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup water
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. hot sauce
TOPPINGS:
Homemade Croutons (recipe)
Parmesan cheese

Combine all ingredients except toppings into a crockpot and stir well.

Cover and cook on low 8 to 10 hours or on high for 5 to 6 hours. Taste and adjust seasonings.

Ladle into soup bowls and top with croutons and cheese, if desired.

Hint:
Chop onion, carrots and ham the night before and store separately in food storage bags in the refrigerator. This will make the preparation time much faster in the morning.

Source: The Southern Sass Cookbook by Darlene Hardister-Heumann