Savor A Hearty Bean Soup with Nutty Wheat Berries

Ingredients

• A flavorful ham bone
• Sufficient water to cover
• 8 ounces of navy beans, dried
• 8 ounces of cranberry beans
• 8 ounces of wheat berries
• A tablespoon of celery salt
• A tablespoon of dried thyme
• A tablespoon of dried oregano
• A few dashes of Worcestershire sauce, to your liking
• Freshly cracked black pepper, as you desire
• 8 ounces of lentils, dried
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to your taste
• 2 ripe tomatoes, finely diced
• 1 ripe avocado, finely diced
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced, or more to suit your preference

Step 1

Begin your culinary journey by placing the ham bone lovingly in the welcoming embrace of a slow cooker. Fill it with just enough water to envelop the bone in its warm cocoon. Allow the mixture to mingle and dance together on Low heat until a heavenly aroma of stock fills your kitchen, a process that may take anywhere from 12 to 15 hours.

Step 2

Meanwhile, in a spacious vessel, gather navy beans, cranberry beans, and wheat berries, and let them bathe in cool water, making sure they are submerged under a few inches of liquid. This hydrating ritual is essential for their well-being, so let them soak and revitalize for a generous span of 8 hours to overnight. Once they have absorbed their fill, bid farewell to the excess water.

Step 3

As the ham bone bids adieu to the stock, tenderly introduce the soaked beans and wheat berries to the fragrant liquid. Sprinkle in a dash of celery salt, a pinch of thyme and oregano, a drizzle of Worcestershire sauce, and a generous twist of black pepper. Allow this symphony of flavors to simmer and meld together on High heat until the beans reach that perfect balance of tenderness and firmness, a process that may take around 4 hours.

Step 4

When the timing feels right, invite the humble lentils to join the harmonious blend in the slow cooker. Let them bask in the warmth and flavors on High heat for approximately 1 hour, until they reach a state of tender perfection. Season the concoction with a sprinkle of salt and another twist of black pepper to elevate the taste to new heights.

Step 5

To serve, ladle the nourishing soup into bowls and garnish with vibrant accents of diced tomatoes, creamy slices of avocado, and a sprinkle of fresh green onions. Allow these final touches to crown your creation with colors and flavors that delight both the eyes and the taste buds.