Hearty Navy Bean Soup & Halloween Winners

Here's a little something to cut all that sugar you've been eating. Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about. You've been sneakin' the kids Halloween goodies when you thought no one was looking!. I know your little secret... only because I'm guilty of the same crime :) The chocolate on my breath's a new toothpaste flavor. You believe that right? If the thought of something else sweet makes you turn your head, this bean soup's for you. It's great for those cold fall evenings. This is different than the ham and beans I grew up eating (which consisted of ham and beans... period.), but hit the spot. Enjoy:)

Here's Sophie as a box of popcorn. She won 1st place in her age group and was the overall 1st place winner. Makayla was actually snacking on it until she got a piece with glue!

Chase was excited to be a "walking pumpkin"-as he called it! He didn't win, but he sure was cute:)

Here's Snow White Makayla. I have washed her hair 3 times and it still has black hair spray in it! She won 2nd in her age group.

HEARTY NAVY BEAN SOUP

3 cups (1-1/2 pounds) dried navy beans
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 large onion, chopped
1 meaty ham hock or 1 cup diced cooked ham
2 cups chicken broth
2-1/2 cups water
Salt and pepper to taste
Minced fresh parsley

Rinse and sort beans. Place beans in a Dutch oven or soup kettle; add water to cover by 2 in. Bring to a boil; boil for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat; cover and let stand for 1 to 4 hours or until beans are softened. Drain and rinse beans, discarding liquid. Place in a large Dutch oven or soup kettle. Add the tomatoes with juice, onion, ham hock, broth, water, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until beans are tender, about 1-1/2 hours. Add more water if necessary. Remove ham hock and let stand until cool enough to hand. Remove meat from bone; discard bone. Cut meat into bite-size pieces; set aside. (For a thicker soup, cool slightly, then puree beans in a food processor or blender and returned to pan.) Return ham to soup and heat through. Garnish with parsley.