Recipes for Navy Bean Soup
Simple Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 pound dried navy beans
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 smoked ham hock
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Soak the navy beans in enough water to cover them overnight. Drain and rinse the beans the next day.
- In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, celery, and carrots. Cook until the vegetables are softened, about 10 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic to the pot and continue to cook for another 2 minutes.
- Add the drained beans to the pot along with the chicken broth, ham hock, bay leaf and dried thyme. Stir the soup well and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer.
- Cover the pot and continue to cook the soup for about 2 hours, or until the beans are tender. Stir the soup occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Once the beans are cooked, remove the ham hock from the pot. Remove and discard the bay leaf. Season the soup with salt and pepper.
- If desired, you can shred some of the ham from the hock and add it back to the soup before serving. Enjoy your homemade navy bean soup.
Advanced Recipe
Navy Bean Soup
Preparation Time: 13 hours
Cooking Time: 2 hours
Ingredients
- 16 oz. dried navy beans
- 8 cups water
- 1 large smoked ham hock
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 medium onions, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 large carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
Instructions
- Soak the navy beans in cold water, ensuring they are fully covered, for at least 12 hours or overnight.
- When ready to cook, drain the beans and set aside.
- In a large pot, add the 8 cups of water along with the ham hock. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer for one hour.
- While the ham is simmering, heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onions, diced celery, and carrots to the skillet and cook until the vegetables are tender and the onions are translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until the garlic is fragrant.
- Transfer the veggies into the pot with the ham hock. Add the drained beans, salt, pepper, thyme, and bay leaves to the pot. Stir everything together so the ingredients are well-incorporated.
- Allow the soup to simmer for about an hour, or until the beans are tender. You may need to add more water if necessary, depending on the desired consistency of the soup.
- Once the beans are cooked, remove the ham hock from the soup. Once it's cool enough to handle, cut off any meat, dice it, and add it back into the soup.
- Taste the soup and add more seasonings if necessary. Discard the bay leaves before serving. Enjoy your Navy Bean Soup while it's warm.
The Rich History and Ingredients of Navy Bean Soup
Originating from the United States, Navy Bean Soup has a rich history that intertwines with the country’s naval traditions. It has been a staple in the diet of sailors due to the durability and nutritional value of its primary ingredient, the navy bean. These small white beans are an excellent source of fiber and protein, providing sustained energy and satiety for long sea voyages. Aside from navy beans, the soup also typically includes ingredients such as ham, onions, celery, carrots, and a blend of herbs for added flavor.
Tantalizing Flavor Profile and Cooking Method
Navy Bean Soup possesses a comforting, hearty flavor profile which is essentially a balance between the mild creaminess of navy beans and the robust, smoky undertones of ham. The preparation process starts with soaking the navy beans overnight to soften them. The next step involves a slow cooking process that lasts several hours. The aromatic vegetables and herbs are sautéed first, followed by the addition of pre-soaked beans, ham, and broth. The soup is left to simmer until the beans become tender and the flavors meld together beautifully.
Nutritional Value and Dietary Considerations
One serving of Navy Bean Soup typically has around 260 calories. Its high fiber and protein content makes it a filling meal choice with numerous health benefits. Specifically:
– High in dietary fiber, promoting digestive health.
– Rich in protein, essential for tissue repair and growth.
– Low in fat, making it a heart-friendly option.
– Provides essential micronutrients like iron, folate and magnesium.
Despite its high nutritional value, those on a low-sodium diet should exercise caution as the soup can be high in sodium, mostly due to the inclusion of ham and broth. However, this can be easily managed by choosing low-sodium alternatives for these ingredients.
| Ingredient | Grams per serving |
|---|---|
| Navy Beans | 50 g |
| Ham | 30 g |
| Onions | 25 g |
| Celery | 15 g |
| Carrots | 20 g |
| Herbs | 5 g |
| Broth | 300 ml |
| Calories | Proteins | Fats | Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|
| 260 kcal | 15 g | 3 g | 13 g |
Navy Bean Soup: A Savory Delight
Navy Bean Soup, characterized by its wholesome and satisfying simplicity, draws culinary inspiration from many cultures. In the heart of the winter, it stands as a warm and welcoming dish, whose creamy texture and hearty notes spark joy in the cold season. What distinguishes navy beans is their ability to absorb seasonings while stubbornly maintaining their shape during cooking. This elusive quality allows them to infuse the dish with a multi-layered taste profile.
Complementing this soul-warming meal necessitates carefully selected side dishes and drinks. Here are some excellent matches to elevate your dining experience:
– A side of crusty bread or cornbread
– A fresh, green salad dressed with a tangy vinaigrette
– Wine, specifically, a clean and crisp white like a Vouvray from France or an earthy, spicy red such as a Zinfandel from California
Pairing Your Beans With Palate-Pleasing Combinations
Selecting the right match to uplift the navy bean soup experience involves understanding the flavor profile of the soup and choosing accompaniments that allow these flavors to shine. It’s about balance – it’s essential to choose a side that doesn’t overpower the soup but contributes to the overall harmonization of flavors.
| Side Dish | Description |
|---|---|
| Crusty Bread or Cornbread | Carbs are a perfect match for this protein-rich soup. Cornbread has an inherent sweetness which perfectly balances the savoriness of the soup, while a crusty bread provides contrast in texture and serves as an excellent instrument to soak up every last drop. |
| Fresh salad | A crisp salad with a tangy vinaigrette brings a refreshing note to the meal. It provides a clean cut through the creamy, dense soup with its light and juicy components, delivering a satisfying crunch and balancing the rich flavors. |
Choosing the Right Wine
In terms of libations, a navy bean soup pairs beautifully with wines that complement its earthy and complex flavor without overpowering it. Opt for a Vouvray if you prefer a white wine. Its crispness and acidity soften the bean’s earthy flavor and bring out the soup’s subtler notes. A Zinfandel, on the other hand, offers a lovely juxtaposition of flavors. Its spicy and bold character beautifully plays off against the creamy, hearty nature of the soup.
| Wine Variety | Description |
|---|---|
| Vouvray | This white wine from France has a high acidity, crisp pear and honeysuckle flavors with a touch of minerality, making it a versatile match for the savory navy bean soup. |
| Zinfandel | A full-bodied red wine from California. Zinfandel’s dark fruit flavors of raspberry and blackberry, and its subtle spiciness works well with the rich, creamy flavors of navy bean soup. |
Navy Bean Soup: An Overview
Navy bean soup is a simple yet sumptuous dish that has evolved into numerous regional varieties through centuries. Its origin traces back to the 19th century when it was a staple for the United States Navy, hence its name. This soup is high in protein and fiber, making it a hearty meal or a side dish. The primary ingredients include navy beans, also known as pea beans, ham hocks or smoked pork, onions, and herbs. While it’s a simple recipe, the different regional adaptations enhance its flavor profile by adding unique ingredients, hence creating a plethora of navy bean soup varieties across the world.
Regional Variations of Navy Bean Soup
In the United States, the navy bean soup is hearty and is often served with cornbread. In the southern states, variations include the addition of collard greens, while in the New England region, sweet molasses or maple syrup are added for a distinctive sweet-salty flavor blend. In Spain, it is called “habichuelas navy soup,” where it might contain saffron, smoked paprika, and chorizo. Greece presents its version known as “fasolada” where navy beans are simmered with tomatoes, carrots, celery, and herbs like parsley and bay leaves.
- United States Navy Bean Soup: Navy beans, ham hock, onions, herbs, served with cornbread.
- Spanish Habichuelas Navy Soup: Navy beans, saffron, smoked paprika, chorizo.
- Greek Fasolada: Navy beans, tomatoes, carrots, celery, parsley, bay leaves.
Nutritional Values and Cooking Time
While the ingredients may vary, the nutritional values of navy bean soup remain consistent. It’s high in fiber and protein, and low in fat, making it not only tasty but healthy too. Moreover, despite its diverse range in flavor, all varieties of navy bean soup require a long cooking time, typically ranging between 2-3 hours for the soup to develop its full flavor. The table below summarizes the general nutritional values and cooking time for a standard serving of navy bean soup.
| Element | Value |
|---|---|
| Protein | 15 grams / serving |
| Fiber | 12 grams / serving |
| Fat | Less than 3 grams / serving |
| Cooking Time (average) | 2-3 hours |
The Origins of Navy Bean Soup
The history of Navy Bean Soup can be traced back centuries, to when it was a staple food for sailors during long sea voyages. Its enduring popularity owes to its hearty nutrition and ease of storage. The term “Navy Bean” itself can be traced back to the early 20th century, when the U.S. Navy incorporated this nourishing food into the standard fare for sailors. What’s remarkable about this soup is not just its rich, creamy taste, but the fact that it’s steeped in maritime tradition.
Navy Bean Soup has its roots in the kitchens of seafaring mariners who needed long-lasting, filling, and nutrient-dense foods for their ocean journeys. They discovered that Navy beans, small white beans with a mild flavor, not only packed a protein punch but also held up exceptionally well during long periods of storage. Add to that a few simple ingredients like onions, carrots, and signature spices, and the sailors had a soup that could sustain them for days on end. Realizing its merit, many countries’ navies adopted this dish, giving it its iconic global status.
Today, this culinary icon has a prominent place not only in home kitchens but in the U.S. Senate, too. There, it has been a tradition since the early 20th century to serve Navy Bean Soup in the Senate dining room every day. This tradition serves as a testament to the soup’s significance in American heritage and gastronomy. Over the years, the basic recipe has evolved and adapted to reflect different culinary trends, making Navy Bean Soup a versatile recipe that carries a taste of history in every spoonful.
- Navy Bean Soup’s popularity began with its easy storage and nutrient-dense nature.
- The “Navy Bean” term dates back to the early 20th century when the soup became a standard food item in the U.S. Navy.
- Ingredients typically include Navy beans, onions, carrots, and specific spices.
- Worldwide navies adopted Navy Bean Soup for their ocean voyages.
- The U.S. Senate dining room serves this soup daily, demonstrating its significance in American culture and cuisine.
Gastronomic Exploration of Navy Bean Soup Variations
Navy bean soup, a thick, hearty dish often associated with traditional American cuisine, has parallels in various cultures worldwide. Though the origins of this protein-rich meal are tied to the United States – named for its staple status in the U.S. Navy in the 20th century – its core ingredients and preparation methods echo in similar soups across global culinary traditions. When exploring these counterparts, one witnesses the versatility of this humble legume, bringing forth robust and comforting flavors in diverse food cultures.
Among notable examples, consider the “fasolada,” a traditional Greek soup deemed a national food of Greece. Fasolada bears striking similarities to navy bean soup, featuring navy beans as the primary ingredient, along with other common elements like tomatoes, carrots, celery, and onions. A major difference lies in its seasoning profile, with fasolada highlighting Mediterranean flavors through the use of bay leaves, parsley, and a generous drizzle of olive oil.
Further south, Argentina offers a variant known as “potaje de porotos,” a hearty bean stew featuring navy beans or other white beans. This dish is usually cooked with meat, and variations might include an assortment of vegetables. The ingredients common to both navy bean soup and potaje de porotos include:
- Navy beans (or other white beans)
- Onions
- Carrots
- Celery
- Potatoes
| Navy Bean Soup (United States) | Fasolada (Greece) | Potaje de Porotos (Argentina) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Key Ingredient | Navy Beans | Navy Beans | Navy Beans (or other white beans) |
| Aromatic Vegetables | Onion, Carrots, Celery | Onion, Carrots, Celery, Tomatoes | Onion, Carrots, Celery, Potatoes |
| Additional Ingredients | Ham Bone (optional) | Bay leaves, Parsley, Olive Oil | Meat (optional) |
Each version of the soup offers a distinct flavor profile, thereby showcasing the versatility and universal appeal of the humble navy bean. Whether it’s the comforting simplicity of traditional navy bean soup, the vibrant notes of Greek fasolada, or the hearty depth of Argentinian potaje de porotos – each dish represents an exploration into the world of flavors offered by this globally celebrated legume.