Creamy Bean Soup (Just Like Bill Knapp's)

We used to have a Bill Knapp's Restaurant in this area. I hated it when it closed. That was one of our favorite restaurants of all time. I have so many wonderful memories of Sunday dinners at Bill Knapp's. We celebrated almost all our birthdays there because they brought out an entire chocolate cake and played a very old, scratchy recording of Happy Birthday.

One of my favorite soups was the bean soup. I found and revised a recipe and it tastes ALMOST the same.

7 C. Water
1 lb. dried navy beans (2 C.) - sorted and rinsed.
1 lb. ham cubes (I buy a nice thick slice at the deli and chop it into cubes.)
1 sm. onion (If you have no fresh, use a couple tablespoons dried onion.)
1 bay leaf
Pepper
Milk

Heat water and beans to boiling. Boil 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Cover. Let stand 1 hour.

Stir in all ingredients EXCEPT milk. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat, cover. Simmer about 75 minutes. (Don't boil.)

Remove bay leaf.

In food processor or blender, puree about 1/2 the beans. This step is important to get that creamy texture. Return to the rest of the soup in kettle. Add milk to desired consistency and heat through.

I like to top my bowl with ketchup and lots of pepper. Good to make ahead. Keeps well.

Image: nuchylee / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Taco Soup

Here's a soup recipe from my friend, Jen, who says, "This actually is a Weight Watchers recipe and is fantastic. I usually double it an freeze it. It heats back up VERY well. I hop you enjoy it as much as we do."

Taco Soup

15 servings (1 cup serving size)

1 onion, chopped
1 package taco seasoning
2 cups whole kernel corn
1 can fat free chicken broth
1 can black beans - undrained
1 can great northern beans
1 can refried beans
1 can petite diced tomatoes
1 can petite diced tomatoes with chilis

Saute onion until soft. Add remaining ingredients to onions. Simmer for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally.

* Tip - we usually try to smash the refried beans while the soup is simmering, just to make sure that there are not any large chunks of refried beans. The refried beans are in the recipe as a thickening agent.

A yummy soup that is low calorie and full of fiber. Enjoy!

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