Fiesta Ham Soup Food

HAM, POTATO AND PEPPER CHOWDER

Steps:

• Place potatoes and 2 cups broth in a Dutch oven; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until potatoes are tender, 10-15 minutes. Cool slightly. Transfer to a food processor; cover and process until smooth., In same pot, heat butter over medium heat; saute red and green peppers, onion and carrot until carrot is tender, 8-10 minutes. Add ham, jalapeno and seasonings; cook and stir 1 minute., Stir in pureed potatoes and remaining broth; bring just to a boil. In a small bowl, whisk a small amount of hot soup into egg yolk and cream; return all to the pot, whisking constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir until thickened, 1-2 minutes. Serve with toppings as desired.

MEXICAN HAM AND BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• To "quick soak" beans: Rinse and pick over beans and place in a large pot. Cover with cold water to 2 inches above beans and bring to a boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat, cover and let sit for at least an hour. Alternatively, you can soak your beans overnight, or use rinsed, canned beans.
• "Refresh" the dried chile by placing in very hot water for 15 - 30 minutes. Discard seeds and chop finely.
• Drain beans and put them in a large soup pot with broth, onion, water, ham, and herbs and spices. Bring to a boil, cover lightly, and reduce heat to medium-low.
• If you are using dried beans: Simmer 1 1/2 hours or until beans are tender. Then, stir in tomatoes (including juice if you wish) and "refreshed" chile; simmer an additional 30 minutes.
• If you are using canned (or pre-cooked) beans: you can add the tomato and chile with the other ingredients. Cook for a total of 30 minutes or as long as you wish to develop flavours fully.
• Discard bay leaves.
• Serve in bowls garnished with cilantro and a squeeze of lime.
• This freezes well, just freeze (without lime or cilantro) in 1 or 2 serving portions. Thaw in the fridge or microwave straight from frozen. A squeeze of lime after reheating really "freshens" this up after freezing.

MEXICAN HAM AND BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• Sort and wash beans; place in large heavy pot.
• Cover with water to 2 inches above beans; bring to boil.
• Cook 2 minutes; remove from heat.
• Cover and let stand for 1 hour.
• Drain.
• Or you may cover the beans with the same amount of water and let stand overnight.
• Drain and proceed as follows.
• Combine beans, broth, and next 8 ingredients (broth through garlic) in the large heavy pan and bring to a boil.
• Partially cover and reduce heat to medium-low.
• Simmer 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until beans are tender.
• Stir in tomatoes, diced chilies,and liquid smoke, if desired.
• Simmer 1 hour.
• Discard bay leaves and serve.
• Ladle soup into bowls and top with 1 tablespoon cheese and 1 tablespoon cilantro.

HAM BONE SOUP

Steps:

• The day before you want to make the soup. put the beans in a large bowl and add cold water to cover by several inches. Soak overnight (or at least 8 hours) in the refrigerator.
• Drain the beans and rinse. Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the carrots, celery and leeks and season with 1 teaspoon of salt. Cook and stir until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.
• Add the tomato paste and thyme and stir to coat the vegetables. Let the tomato paste toast for 1 minute, stirring, then add the bay leaves and 12 cups of water. Add the beans and nestle the ham bone in. Bring to a simmer and cook, uncovered, until the beans are almost tender, 45 minutes to 1 hour.
• Add the escarole, another 2 cups of water and 1 teaspoon salt. Return the soup to a simmer and cook until thickened and the beans and escarole are very tender, 20 to 30 minutes.
• Remove the bay leaves and ham bone from the soup and let cool until you can handle the bone. Shred any useable meat left on the bone and stir back into the soup. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

FAST FIESTA SOUP

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine the tomatoes, corn and beans; heat through. Garnish serving with cheese and sour cream if desired.

FAST FIESTA SOUP

Steps:

• Combine Rotel, corn and beans in saucepan and heat through.
• Garnish servings with cheese and sour cream if desired.