Cozy Ham & Bean Soup with Cornbread: An Easy Fall Menu for a Work Night

Whether you’ve just returned from an adventurous getaway or are simply seeking comfort on a chilly day, there’s nothing quite like the warmth of a home-cooked meal to restore your energy and uplift your spirit. Be sure to check out my recent blog post HERE about road trip recovery and tips to make it successful.

Enter the perfect duo: Ham and Bean Soup with freshly baked cornbread. This classic, hearty meal embodies the Scandinavian concept of hygge—creating a cozy and comforting atmosphere through simple pleasures. For foodies and home cooks, this recipe is a delightful way to bring comfort and warmth to your kitchen.

Hygge in the Kitchen

Hygge (pronounced hoo-gah) is more than just a trend—it’s a way of life in Scandinavian culture that revolves around comfort, contentment, and well-being. While hygge can be found in many aspects of life, it’s especially present in the kitchen. Preparing and enjoying a nourishing meal like Ham and Bean Soup with Cornbread isn’t just about filling your stomach; it’s about savoring the process, the aromas, and the simple pleasure of good food shared with loved ones.

Why Ham & Bean Soup is the Ultimate Comfort Food

Ham and bean soup is a beloved dish for many reasons. It’s rich, hearty, and full of flavor, with the smoky essence of ham mingling beautifully with tender beans. The simplicity of this dish is what makes it so special to me.

With just a few ingredients, I can create a deeply satisfying meal that warms my family from the inside out. For foodies who love to cook, this recipe offers the perfect balance of ease and depth of flavor, making it a go-to comfort food.

Recipe: Ham & Bean Soup with Cornbread

Ingredients:

• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 smoked ham hock (or 2 cups diced ham)
• 8 cups chicken broth (I use organic chicken bone broth for additional nutrition)
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• Salt and Pepper to Taste
• 2 Tbsp olive oil

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Beans: Start by draining and rinsing the soaked navy beans. This step ensures your beans cook evenly and reduces any excess starch.
2. Saute the Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onions, diced carrots, and celery, followed by the minced garlic. Cook until the vegetables are softened, releasing their aromatic scents into the air – a true hygge moment.
3. Build the Soup: Add the smoked ham hock (or diced ham) to the pot, followed by the drained navy beans. Pour in the chicken broth and toss in the bay leaf and thyme. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and allow it to simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours. The long simmer allows the flavors to meld, creating a rich, comforting broth.
4. Finish and Serve: Once the beans are tender, remove the ham hock (bone), shred the meat, and return it to the soup. Discard the bay leaf. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. Serve this hearty soup alongside warm cornbread, which adds a delightful, slightly sweet contrast to the savory soup.

The Perfect Pairing: Warm Cornbread

Cornbread is the ideal accompaniment to ham and bean soup. Its tender crumb and slightly sweet flavor balance the smokiness of the ham and the earthiness of the beans. Plus, it’s easy to make from scratch—simply mix up a batter of cornmeal, flour, milk, eggs, and a touch of sugar, then bake until golden brown. For an extra touch of hygge, enjoy your cornbread with a smear of butter and a drizzle of honey.

INGREDIENTS

UNITS: US

• 1 cup  yellow cornmeal (fresh, and preferably stone-ground)
• 1 cup  unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon  baking powder
• ¹⁄₄teaspoon  salt
• ¹⁄₄teaspoon  baking soda
• 1 ¹⁄₄cups  buttermilk
• 1 large  egg
• 2 tablespoons  sugar
• ¹⁄₄cup corn oil (or plain vegetable oil)
• 2 tablespoons  unsalted butter

DIRECTIONS

• Put a 10” cast iron skillet in the oven and preheat to 375 degrees.
• Combine the dry ingredients except for the baking soda in a bowl.
• In another bowl, mix the buttermilk and the baking soda.
• Set aside.
• In a small bowl, beat the egg with the sugar until combined.
• Add the oil and mix until combined.
• Pour this mixture into the buttermilk/baking soda, and mix.
• When the oven is preheated, toss the butter into the skillet and let it melt.
• Meanwhile, pour the wet ingredients into the dry, and mix in as few strokes as it takes to just make the dough come together.
• Pull the skillet out of the oven, swirling to get the butter covering the bottom and up the sides of the skillet.
• Pour the batter immediately into the pan, smoothing the top, then back into the oven for about 25 minutes, or until golden brown and pulled away from the sides of the pan.
• Turn out onto a cutting board, cut into wedges, and serve.
• NOTE: cornbread isn’t worth making if you don’t make it in a cast-iron skillet.

Embrace Hygge with Every Bite

As foodies and home cooks, we know that the kitchen is a place where comfort and creativity meet. By preparing a dish like Ham and Bean Soup with Cornbread, you’re not just cooking; you’re creating an experience of warmth, relaxation, and contentment.

So, next time you need to recharge after a long trip or just want to embrace the coziness of home, gather your ingredients, and let the magic of hygge fill your kitchen.

Final Thoughts

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the comfort it brings. It’s a dish that invites you to slow down, savor each bite, and enjoy the cozy ambiance of your kitchen. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or sharing with loved ones, this Ham and Bean Soup with Cornbread is sure to become a beloved staple in your culinary repertoire.

For more cozy recipes coming soon as well as tips on bringing hygge into your home, be sure to explore our blog further!