Bean, Ham & Bacon Soup

Ingredients

4 can(s)	great northern beans; drained and rinsed (or use dry beans & soak overnight)
1/2 lb	bacon, fried crispy and crumbled
1/2 lb	ham, diced & fried golden brown
3 md	carrots, diced
3	celery stalks, diced
1 md	onion, minced
1/2 tsp	thyme, dried
1 tsp	garlic powder
1 can(s)	tomato paste (6 oz)
6 c	vegetable stock
1 Tbsp	red wine vinegar
	salt & pepper, to taste

Directions

1

 Place all ingredients except wine vinegar, beans, salt and pepper in a large kettle. Simmer until veggies are tender. Add beans until cooked through. Stir in vinegar. Season with salt & pepper if needed.

2

 Use an immersion blender to puree some of the beans in the pot to thicken to your desired consistency.

3

 You probably won't need to add salt to this as there is plenty from the bacon and ham. I used lower sodium bacon and it was perfect.