CHEF JEFF -- ONE BYTE AT A TIME: Crockery Calico Ham and Bean Soup

If you're like a lot of other people, you still have some Easter ham in the refrigerator. The leftover bone is great for soups, such as the following made in a slow cooker.

Crockery Calico Ham and Bean Soup

1 pound bean mix for soup

6 cups water

2 cups ham, cut into ½-inch cubes

1 cup chopped onion

1 cup chopped carrot

1 to 2 teaspoons Italian herbs

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

2 bay leaves

Rinse beans in colander under running water. Sort out any dirt or small pebbles. Drain.

In a large slow cooker, combine all ingredients.

Cover and cook on low heat setting for 8 to 10 hours or on high heat setting for 4 to 5 hours.

Discard bay leaves before serving.

Yield: Serves 8.

Grab more food tidbits at the Chef Jeff blog at GrandForksHerald.com.