Soup is good for the body and soul

Financial Crisis Soup

This soup has staying power to help you remain stable as the market lurches, lots of healthy fiber to keep your economy moving, and it costs just a few cents per serving. It’s made in a slow cooker, which my son calls the crack-pot. Perhaps that could be thought of as a reference to the people who thought they were running the financial system.

Enjoy!

Make in a slow cooker.

Prep time: 10 minutes
Slow cooker time: 4 to 5 hours on high, or 8 to 10 hours on low

Ingredients
1 package navy beans (2 cups)
Soup bones *
2 carrots, peeled and sliced
1 medium onion, chopped
1 rib celery, sliced
½ tsp garlic, minced
1 bay leaf
1/8 tsp pepper
6 to 7 cups water
1 tsp salt
optional: cubed ham

• You can use: 1-2 ham hocks, smoked pork bones, chicken drumsticks, beef soup bone, or smoked turkey with bone.

1. Layer in a slow cooker, in order, peas, meat, carrots, onions, celery, garlic, bay leaf, and pepper. Pour in water. Do not stir.

2. Cover and cook on high for 4 to 5 hours or on low for 8 to 10 hours or until beans are very soft.

3. Add salt.

4. Remove meat bones and bay leaf. If you prefer a smoother soup, cool slightly, then puree the mixture, 2 to 3 cups at a time, in a blender container. (I never bother with this step.)

5. Cut meat from bone, dice, and return meat to soup in slow cooker.

6. Optional: add cubed ham and stir

Note: I like less salt than most people. Add more salt if it seems to need it.

You can also make this soup with green split peas - the color of money!