Don't throw your ham bones away! Use them to make a delicious ham broth and then pack it with beans, potatoes, and your other favorite soup ingredients.

Ham Bone-Boiled Bean Soup

Place ham bone in stockpot; cover with water. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer 1 hour. Remove bone and liquid from pot. When cool, cut meat off bone; coarsely chop. Discard bone,

Heat olive oil in same pot. Add onion, potatoes, carrots, and garlic. Cook 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in ham stock, beans, thyme, and bay leaves. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer 10 minutes.

Place 2 cups mixture in a blender. Cover and blend until pureed. Add back to pot. 

Stir in ham; heat through. Garnish with fresh thyme, if desired.