Instructions: Traditional bean soup with a little spice: 205 cals per 1-1/2 cup serving

P A N T R Y SMOKED HAM BONE, such as neck bone, or the hock with a few ounces of meat; about 75% refuse.

ANISE Optional: "While it is traditional to flavor this soup with an anise liquor, such as Herbsaint or Pernod, it is omitted here and left as an option. Use 2 tablespoons Herbsaint, or 1/4 cup Pernods measure.

Consider
a little anise extract (to taste), crushed fennel seed, or fresh, snipped tarragon.

RED PEPPER: reserve some (2 Tbsp) seeds or reserve some of the flesh and mince or julienne for garnish.

SEAFOOD GARNISH (optional): small, cooked crayfish, shrimp, or lobster or crab, coarsely chopped, if necessary.

In a large saucepan, cover the ham bone with 4 to 4-1/2 quarts water and let simmer uncovered on medium low for 30 minutes. Remove the ham and bone and set aside. Defat the stock as needed.

Cut the meat from the bone; discard the bone and fat and dice the meat.

Rinse the meat. Return the defatted stock to the saucepan and add the beans, onions, garlic, celery, pepper, carrots, coriander, Creole seasoning, and parsley and simmer, covered, on low, for 2 hours or until the beans are tender. Add Pernod and cook for another 2 minutes. Remove half the soup to a food processor or blender and puree, or use an immersion, or hand, blender. [!] Return pureed soup to saucepan, stir to blend, garnish, and serve hot.

[!] Be careful as hot liquid expands when it is processed.

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