# What You Need:
→ Meats
01 - 2 cups cooked ham, diced
→ Beans
02 - 2 cups dried lima beans, soaked overnight and drained
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 large onion, diced
04 - 2 medium carrots, diced
05 - 2 celery stalks, diced
06 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
→ Liquids
07 - 8 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
08 - 1 bay leaf
→ Seasonings
09 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
10 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
11 - Salt to taste
→ Garnish
12 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
# Steps:
01 - Rinse and drain the soaked lima beans thoroughly under cold water.
02 - Heat oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery; sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
03 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add ham, lima beans, broth, bay leaf, thyme, and black pepper. Bring mixture to a boil over high heat.
05 - Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 1 hour 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lima beans are completely tender.
06 - Remove bay leaf from pot. Taste soup and adjust salt as needed.
07 - Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve immediately while hot.
