Country Bean Soup (Diabetic)

Ingredients:

1 1/4 Cups dried navy beans or lima beans, rinsed and drained.

2 1/2 Cups water

1/4 Pound salt pork or fully cooked ham, chopped

1/4 Cup chopped onion

1/2 Teaspoon dried oregano

1/4 Teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 Teaspoon dried sage

1/4 Teaspoon black pepper

2 Cups fat-free (skim) milk

2 Tablespoons butter

Directions:

1 Place navy beans in large saucepan; add enough water to cover beans. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer 2 minutes. Remove from heat; cover and let stand 1 hour. (Or, cover beans with water and soak, overnight.)

2 Drain beans and return to saucepan. Stir in 2 1/2 cups water, salt pork, onion, oregano, salt, ginger, sage and pepper. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 2 to 2 1/2 hours or until beans are tender. (If necessary, add more water during cooking.) Add milk and butter, stirring until mixture is heated through and butter is melted. Season with additional salt and pepper, if desired.

Makes 6 servings

1 1/2 Starch, 1/2 Lean Meat, 1/2 Milk, 1 Fat

Cal:......230; Cal. from Fat:......27%; Total Fat:......7 g; Sat. Fat:......4 g; Carb:......27 g; Protein:......15 g; Chol:......27 mg; Sodium:......420 mg; Fiber:......<1 g.