Guest Chef - Caroline’s Thread & Canvas

January 30th, 2008 by Tink Boord-Dill

Hi! I’m Caroline, owner of Caroline’s Thread & Canvas, a needlework shop located in a very small and very friendly town in Ashland, VA. The odds are you’ve never heard of Ashland, VA, but it might ring a bell if you’ve ever traveled Interstate I-95 heading south from Washington DC

Anyway besides being a “needlework nut”, I love reading recipe books and testing out new goodies to eat. That’s why I love following The Armchair Chef. Now since I’m not a football nut, it seems kind of weird that I’m submitting a Super Bowl recipe. My biggest connection to Super Bowl is that it’s a great excuse to sit in front of the TV and stitch! I have to admit, though, it’s also a good excuse to cook something special for family and friends and for this occasion it’s going to be “Super Sunday Bean Soup”!

For years my mother and I used a favorite cookbook called The Words Worth Eating Cookbook published by our local supermarket, Ukrops. Anyway, my mother discovered this recipe way back when and it has become a family favorite, even if it’s not Super Bowl Sunday. Add a salad and some Italian bread and you’re good to go!

TheArmchairChef.com
Super Sunday Bean Soup
“A perfect dish for the football crowd!”

For years my mother and I used a favorite cookbook called The Words Worth Eating Cookbook published by our local supermarket, Ukrops. Anyway, my mother discovered this recipe way back when and it has become a family favorite, even if it’s not for Super Sunday Football Party. Add a salad and some Italian bread and you’re good to go!

Ingredients

16 ounces dried Navy beans
6 ounces salt pork (I omit for dietary restrictions)
2 quarts water
1/2-3/4 cup minced onion
1 cup minced celery
1 cup diced cooked ham
2 cups water
1/2 teaspoon salt (I omit)
1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked pepper
1 10 ounce can tomato soup
Additional cup of water optional

Step by Step

1) Place beans in a large pot and cover with water; soak overnight.
2) Drain and add 2 quarts of water. Add salt pork if desired or substitute a ham bone if available.
3) Bring to boil; reduce heat immediately and cook covered over low heat approximately 2 hours.
4) Add onion, celery, and 2 additional cups of water.
5) Cover and continue cooking for an additional hour or until beans are tender.
6) Add salt if desired, pepper and tomato soup.
7) If needed, add up to an additional cup of water. (I usually do not find it necessary to add more water since we like a thicker soup.)
8 ) Simmer until soup reaches desired consistency. Season according to personal taste. I sometimes add a small can of tomato paste and flour to thicken. The longer the soup simmers the better.
Serves 6 to 8.

Caroline’s Thread & Canvas

Caroline’s Thread & Canvas is a needlework shop located in a very small and very friendly town in Ashland, VA. The odds are you’ve never heard of Ashland, VA, but it might ring a bell if you’ve ever traveled Interstate I-95 heading south from Washington D. C.