Ham soup!

Tonight's meal was a simple soup, with ham, vegetables, and macaroni, served with a side of baked garlic bread. The soup had a vaguely Italian flavor to it, in part because of the herbs I used, and would also I think serve well as a good white bean soup with some modification.

The garlic bread came out really well. The "Country Buttermilk" Safeway Select bread I used has a really great flavor to it, that pairs well with the Johnny's mix. It also serves well for the bacon bruschetta recipe I posted earlier.

Soup recipe follows:

1 lb. ham, diced
1 medium onion, diced
2 roma tomatoes, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
2 slices of bacon, chopped
1/3 lb. macaroni noodles
2 cloves of garlic
Dried or fresh basil, oregano, parsley to taste
49 oz can of chicken stock

Add the bacon to a large stockpot and heat over medium heat. Cook for about 5 minutes, and add the garlic and vegetables. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes, and then add the ham and heat for another 5 minutes.

Add the chicken stock, then fill the can about 2/3 full with water, and add that as well, then bring the heat to high, and add the herbs, a few dashes of black pepper and salt, and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.

Once the water comes to a boil, skim off any fat that foams up around the edges of the pan, and then add the macaroni noodles, and boil for about 10 minutes.

For the garlic bread, spread a little butter on slices of bread, sprinkle with Johnny's mix and paprika, and put in a 350 degree oven for 5-10 minutes.