White Bean and Country Ham Soup

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 cup chopped country ham
• 1 cup chopped yellow onion
• 1 cup chopped carrot
• 1⁄2 cup chopped celery
• 3 cups water
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 3 (15-ounce) cans cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• garnish: chopped parsley

Directions

1. In a large Dutch oven, heat canola oil over medium heat. Add ham, onion, carrot, and celery.
2. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened, approximately 8 minutes. Add 3 cups water and broth. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer until tender, approximately 10 minutes.
3. Mash 1 1⁄2 cups beans. Add all beans, lemon juice, parsley, sage, salt, and red pepper to pan. Cook 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Garnish with parsley, if desired.