This Amish Snow Day Soup is a hearty, comforting, and remarkably easy-to-make bean recipe that’s perfect for chilly days. It’s a classic, belly-warming dish that combines simple pantry staples into a flavorful, satisfying meal, making it an ideal choice for a cozy family dinner or a delightful lunch.
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Key Ingredients for Amish Snow Day Soup
To create this soul-soothing Amish Snow Day Soup, you’ll need the following ingredients. Each one plays a crucial role in building the soup’s rich flavor and hearty texture.
- 1 pound (about 2 cups) dried Great Northern beans: Soaked overnight or quick-soaked (see tips section) to ensure even cooking. This is the star of our hearty soup!
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or unsalted butter: For sautéing the aromatics.
- 1 large yellow onion, diced: A foundational flavor builder.
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced: Adds a touch of sweetness and color.
- 2 celery stalks, diced: Contributes a classic aromatic base.
- 4-6 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth: Use low-sodium to control salt content. This forms the liquid base of our soup.
- 2 cups cooked beef, diced
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained: Adds a touch of acidity and depth.
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme: A warm, earthy herb that pairs beautifully with beef.
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed: Enhances the savory notes.
- 2 bay leaves: For infusing a subtle, aromatic quality. Remember to remove them before serving!
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste: Essential for seasoning and balancing flavors.
- Optional garnishes: Fresh parsley, croutons, a dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese.
How to Make Amish Snow Day Soup
This Amish Snow Day Soup offers a heartwarming embrace in a bowl, perfect for those days when you crave something truly comforting and filling. This dish is incredibly easy to prepare, relying on simple techniques that yield a rich, deeply satisfying flavor profile. Its heartwarming taste comes from the harmonious blend of savory beef, tender beans, and aromatic vegetables, all simmering together to create a profoundly delicious experience. The preparation time, including the initial bean soaking, can be around 8-10 hours active for soaking, but active cooking is only about 20 minutes before simmering for 1-2 hours.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Beans: If not already done, rinse the dried Great Northern beans thoroughly. If you have time, soak them overnight in a large bowl covered with cold water. For a quick soak method, place beans in a large pot, cover with water by 2 inches, bring to a boil for 2 minutes, remove from heat, cover, and let sit for 1 hour. Drain and rinse the soaked beans before proceeding.
- Sauté the aromatics: In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, heat the olive oil or butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften, about 5-7 minutes.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the soaked and drained beans to the pot with the sautéed vegetables. Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth, ensuring the beans are fully submerged. Stir in the diced beef, diced tomatoes (with their juices), dried thyme, crushed rosemary, and bay leaves.
- Simmer to Perfection: Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer gently for 1 to 2 hours, or until the beans are tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. The cooking time will vary depending on how long your beans were soaked and their freshness.
- Season and Serve: Once the beans are tender, remove the bay leaves. Taste the soup and season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Remember that beef can be salty, so adjust accordingly. If the soup is too thick for your liking, add a little extra broth or water.
- Garnish and Enjoy: Ladle the hot Amish Snow Day Soup into bowls. Garnish with fresh parsley, croutons, or a dollop of sour cream if desired. Serve immediately and savor the cozy warmth.
Why You’ll Love This Amish Snow Day Soup
You’ll quickly fall in love with this Amish Snow Day Soup because it’s the epitome of comfort food, offering a main highlight of incredible depth of flavor from humble ingredients. This delicious soup is incredibly budget-friendly, stretching simple pantry staples like beans and leftover beefinto a hearty meal that feeds a crowd without breaking the bank.
What to Serve Amish Snow Day Soup With
This Amish Snow Day Soup is a meal in itself, but a few complementary sides can elevate the experience:
- Crusty Bread or Cornbread: Perfect for soaking up every last bit of that delicious broth. A warm slice of cornbread adds a rustic touch and a hint of sweetness.
- Simple Green Salad: A light, zesty green salad with a vinaigrette dressing provides a refreshing contrast to the richness of the soup.
- Cheese and Crackers: For a quick and easy side, a platter of sharp cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese with crackers can be a delightful addition.
Top Tips for Perfecting Amish Snow Day Soup
Making the perfect Amish Snow Day Soup is all about a few key techniques and considerations.
- Bean Soaking Matters: Proper bean soaking is crucial. If you forget to soak overnight, the quick-soak method (boil 2 minutes, rest 1 hour) works well. Soaking not only reduces cooking time but also helps with digestibility. Never cook dried beans without soaking first.
- Don’t Rush the Simmer: The longer the soup simmers gently (within reason), the more the flavors meld and the beans become truly tender and creamy. A low, slow simmer is key for rich depth.
- Thicker or Thinner? For a thicker soup, you can mash some of the beans against the side of the pot with a spoon or an immersion blender to create a creamier consistency. For a thinner soup, simply add more broth or water until desired consistency is reached.
- Herb Freshness: While dried herbs work perfectly, a sprinkle of fresh thyme or parsley at the end can brighten up the flavors significantly.
- Common Mistake to Avoid: Adding acidic ingredients (like tomatoes) too early can sometimes prevent beans from softening. While this recipe includes tomatoes from the start, ensure your beans have had a good soak (or quick soak) to mitigate this. If your beans are particularly old, they might take longer to soften regardless.
Storing and Reheating Tips
This Amish Snow Day Soup makes fantastic leftovers, often tasting even better the next day as the flavors continue to meld.
- Refrigeration: Once cooled to room temperature, transfer the soup to airtight containers. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: For longer storage, this soup freezes beautifully. Allow the soup to cool completely. Divide it into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags (leaving some headspace if using containers to allow for expansion). It can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Reheating (from Refrigerator): Reheat individual portions in the microwave until hot, stirring occasionally. For larger quantities, gently reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until warmed through. If the soup has thickened too much, you may want to add a splash of broth or water.
- Reheating (from Freezer): Thaw frozen soup overnight in the refrigerator for best results. Alternatively, you can gently reheat from frozen on the stovetop over low heat, stirring often, or in the microwave using a defrost setting then continuing to heat until warm. Again, add a little extra liquid if needed.
Final Thoughts
This Amish Snow Day Soup is more than just a meal; it’s an experience of warmth, comfort, and simple satisfaction. It brings together the goodness of hearty beans in a way that truly nourishes both body and soul. Whether you’re battling a winter chill or simply craving a taste of home, this recipe delivers every time. It’s easy on the budget, a joy to prepare, and a delight to eat. So, gather your ingredients, fire up your stove, and prepare to fall in love with this timeless, comforting classic.
try also :
- Amish Canned Apple Pie Filling Recipe
- Soft & Fluffy Amish White Bread Recipe
- Classic Amish Bread Recipe
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Amish Snow Day Soup FAQs
Q: Do I really need to soak the beans?
A: Yes, soaking greatly reduces cooking time and helps the beans cook more evenly. It also aids in digestibility. While there are “no-soak” bean recipes, for this soup, soaking is recommended for the best texture and flavor.
Q: Can I use a different type of bean?
A: Great Northern beans are traditional, but navy beans or cannellini beans (white kidney beans) can be used as substitutes. They will yield a similar creamy texture and mild flavor.
Q: Can I make this soup in a slow cooker?
A: Absolutely! After sautéing the aromatics (Step 2), transfer everything to your slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, or until the beans are tender. Follow the seasoning instructions (Step 5) before serving.
Q: My soup is too thin/thick. How do I fix it?
A: If it’s too thick, add more broth or water until you reach your desired consistency. If it’s too thin, you can scoop out about a cup of beans, mash them, and return them to the pot to thicken the soup naturally, or let it simmer uncovered for a bit longer to reduce.