Shelly's Recipe

* BEAN SOUP WITH BACON *

Category: Soups

1/2 lb dried great northern beans
4 slices bacon
1 cup onion, chopped
1 1/2 cups carrots, sliced
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 cup green onions, chopped
2 cups water
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
1/8 tsp black pepper
29 oz vegetable broth
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 tsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp lemon rind, grated

Sort and wash beans and place in a large ovenproof Dutch oven. Cover with water to 2 inches above beans, and bring to a boil. Cook for 2 minutes. Remove from heat; cover and let stand 1 hour. Drain beans and set them aside.

Cook the bacon in the Dutch oven over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon from pan and drain all but 2 tbsp bacon fat from the pan. Crumble the bacon and set it aside.


Add the carrot, onion, green onions, and garlic to the bacon fat and saute for 3 minutes. Add the beans, 2 cups water, red pepper, black pepper, and broth. Bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for 45 minutes or until the beans are tender. Combine crumbled bacon, parsley, brown sugar, and lemon rind; stir well. Sprinkle over soup when you serve it. Serves 4