Nancy'S French Market Soup
Nancy's French Market Soup is a hearty, flavorful bean and ham hock stew infused with tomatoes, garlic, chili, and lemon juice, perfect for comforting gatherings.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Sort and wash the dry bean mix.
- Place the beans in a Dutch oven and cover with water to 2 inches above the beans; soak overnight.
- Drain the beans and add 2 quarts of water, ham hock, seasoned salt, and pepper.
- Cover and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 1 1/2 hours or until the beans are tender.
- Add the chopped tomatoes, chopped onion, minced garlic, chopped chili pepper, and lemon juice.
- Simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove the ham hock from the soup.
- Remove meat from the bone and chop it.
- Return the chopped meat to the soup.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor of Nancy's French Market Soup, consider adding a bay leaf during cooking or incorporating smoked paprika for a deeper taste. For a vegetarian version, substitute the ham hock with smoked tempeh or liquid smoke. If you don't have seasoned salt, a mix of sea salt and your favorite herbs can work as a substitute.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Nancy's French Market Soup with crusty bread or a green salad for a complete meal. It pairs beautifully with Party Pickles for a refreshing contrast. For an added kick, offer hot sauce on the side for those who enjoy a bit of heat.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, add a splash of water or broth to prevent the soup from thickening too much, and warm it on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Nancy'S French Market Soup contains roughly 81 calories, with 3g protein, 17g carbohydrates, and 0g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (246% of the Daily Value) and vitamin A (25% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium and dietary fiber. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1017mg per serving (44% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use canned beans instead of dry beans?
Yes, you can use canned beans to save time. If using canned beans, skip the soaking and boiling steps. Simply add the drained and rinsed beans with the other ingredients and simmer until heated through.
How can I make this soup spicier?
To increase the heat level, you can add more chili peppers or include a pinch of cayenne pepper. Additionally, consider serving with hot sauce on the side so everyone can adjust the spice to their liking.
What can I serve with this soup?
Pair the soup with a light salad or crusty bread to soak up the flavors. It also goes well with a side of cornbread for a comforting meal. Explore more hearty options in our soup category.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).