New Year's Day Hearty Bean Soup

The annual rite of consuming good luck food for New Year's Day is observed all over the world.  Exactly what you consume depends largely on where your ancestors came from and what was available there during the winter.  In Italy, lentils are eaten as a symbol of good luck and prosperity because they resemble tiny coins. Unfortunately, my husband doesn't like lentils, but legumes including beans, peas, and lentils are all symbolic of money. Legumes swell when cooked so they are consumed with financial rewards in mind.   Pork is also eaten in Italy on New Year's Day, and because of its rich fat content, it signifies wealth and prosperity.  For the New Year we hope for health and many more delicious meals enjoyed together with family!
We all enjoy white beans, so for our New Year's Day dinner I decided to make a hearty white bean soup with Pork Hocks.  It is really simple to make and delicious.

Ingredients:
1 pound of dry Northern White Beans
2 Knorr Chicken Bouillon Cubes
1 onion (finely diced)

4-5 medium carrots (peeled and chopped)

2 Pork Hocks 

3-4 stalks of celery (chopped)

2 bay leaves

2 tablespoons olive oil

Spices  (I used a combination of dried herbs found in my pantry such as thyme, oregano, basil, and parsley.  The amount depends on what you prefer.)

The night before I sorted and rinsed the beans.  I placed the beans in a stockpot and covered them with cold water and left to soak overnight.  The next day I rinsed the beans and left them to drain. There are other ways to prepare dry beans, but this is the way I've always prepared dry beans.

In a large stockpot, heat the oil over medium heat.  Add onions, chicken cubes, celery, bay leaves, spices, and Pork Hocks.  Sauté until soft, about 5 minutes. Make sure the chicken cubes have dissolved.  Add carrots, and continue cooking for about another 5 minutes.  

Add beans and about 8 cups of water to pot.  Add salt and pepper to taste.

Gently simmer beans until tender, about 45 to 60 minutes, stirring occasionally.

We topped our soup with pieces of the Pork Hock, Parmesan cheese to taste, and my favorite Chili paste.

My family and I enjoyed this bean soup.  Remember you can make it with more less carrots, celery, or even Pork Hocks.  Variety is the spice of life even when making White Bean Soup.
Buon Appetito!