Now, I know that most of y'all probably don't think twice about using ham hocks in cooking. But I've never used them before and, quite frankly, I was a little scared of them. I'M NOT JOKING!!!!! They are used a lot in Southern cooking, and though I am Southern, my mom never used them in cooking. I just didn't know what to do with them.
Well, I'll tell you what!! I definitely know what to do with them now! They flavored this soup sooo beautifully! If you haven't used them before in cooking, try it! You just may LOVE the flavor!!!
Crock Pot Lentil Soup
1 bag of Lentils, rinsed and soaked overnight
1 onion, diced
4 stalks of celery, diced
2 carrots, diced
2 cloves of garlic, diced
2 smoked ham hocks
5 cups chicken broth
Salt and pepper to taste
Add all ingredients to crock pot. Set on low and cook for 7 hours. Serve with fresh baked rolls.
6-8 servings
12 comments:
Mrs. U, that sounds delicious! I, too, have never used ham hocks--have always used good cooked ham pieces in my soups. I think I'm going to try this soup this week--thanks for the recipe!
Blessings,
Paula
Would you believe that I've never eaten lentils? I know that alot of people cook with them, but I guess I've never thought to pick any up at the grocery store. Your soup does sound delicious so maybe I'll give them a try... I'm not very good at trying new things:)
Just out of curiosity, what do they taste like? Are they similar to beans?
That sounds so good. I have never had a lentil recipe turn out to be edible. I like the taste of them, but no one in my family has liked any of the ways I've tried to cook them. I will definitely try this recipe.
I think I'm afraid of ham hocks, too. I, like Paula, have always put ham pieces in my soup. Mama never cooked with ham hocks, but my grandmothers both did. I'm a southerner but just never used them in any recipe.
Sounds great!
This looks warm and YUMMY!!! Fall food has arrived...
My goodness can I come to dinner??? It looks soooo good.
YummY!!! Mrs. U--try Ham Hocks in your greens too:)
Julieann
Wow! I am a lentil soup fiend and my Grandma used to put chunks of ham into her lentil soup as well. Sooo yummy! Will def be trying this recipe with the weather cooling off!
Thanks!
~Laura R
Hi there, I am new to this blog but I am trying to catch up with the archives. I am going to try this recipe after I try the chicken noodle from Mrs. Elliot. Your blog is so very lovely and I am really enjoying reading around! :O) And hey, I've never tried my hand at Ham Hocks either, and you can just chalk me up as being scared of them as well. But I suppose if you can try so can I, lol! I'll let you know how it turns out. :O) (Of course, I'll have to sell my family on lentils first...)
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Cassandra
I have just laughed and laughed at all of us that have been scared of ham hocks!! I truly thought I was the only one!!! :)
Samantha, lentils are small and tender and almost peppery (in my opinion) when cooked. You know, it's really hard to describe their taste- they're just yummy! :)
His,
Mrs. U
Yum...yum...yum!
Next time you cook a ham with a bone in it, save that, too. It can be easily frozen in a bag and saved for your next crock pot meal. Just toss it in with your beans and veggies and what not and it will add oodles of flavor! There are juicy morsels down inside the marrow of hamhocks and ham bones that make soups irresistible. You can't get those flavors any other way! Thanks for posting this recipe. I'll file it away for a chilly autumn day...
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