Ham and Bean Chowder

(Photo from Taste of Home)

With November nearly upon us and cold weather coming, it will be soup season for many of us.  Here is a recipe for a good soup I made last week:  Ham & Bean Chowder.  It's an older recipe from a back issue of Country Woman magazine.  In my opinion, this is one of the best uses for a leftover ham bone.  I am trying to clear out the freezer to make room for some Christmas baking (which I hope to start soon) and there was a ham bone in there, left from Easter.  It was from a spiral sliced ham and had very little meat left on it, but it still added good flavor and a little bit of meat to this yummy bean soup.  Give it a try next time you have a leftover ham bone.  If you enjoy bean soup, you will like this one.  I do cut down on the cheese, using about 3/4 cup or so, and it is still plenty flavorful.  I served this with cornbread, but you probably guessed that!