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
