Ham, Bean and Barley Soup

I love soup, especially on a cold day. This soup is inexpensive and rewarding. And a great way to put a ham bone to good use as well, which gives the soup a rich, wonderful flavor.

I like to cook my soup in the crock pot (slow cooker), but it is also possible to make this soup in a large pot on the stove, but it will require soaking the beans overnight prior to cooking.

Here's how I make my delicious soup:

Add to crock pot:
1 ham bone with some meat still on it.
2 cups bean/barley mix (I get mine in the bulk section of Sprouts "7 Bean and Barley soup mix")
Approx 8 cups of water
1 bay leaf
2-4 Tablespoons minced garlic
1 diced white onion
Garlic salt, pepper, salt, other seasonings of choice to your taste preference.

Cook on low for about 7 hours or high for about 4 hours. Soup is done once beans are soft. Once done, remove the meat off the bone (it will just fall off) and remove the bone piece(s) and the bay leaf. Serve hot with rolls or biscuits.

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