Ham and Bean Soup by Closet Cooking
(makes 4-5 servings)

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion (chopped)
1 carrot (chopped)
2 stalks celery (chopped)
2 cloves garlic (chopped)
4 cups chicken stock
2 cups ham (diced)
1 ham bone (optional)
1 (19 ounce) can white beans (drained and rinsed)
1 teaspoon oregano
1 bay leaf
1 (19 ounce) can white beans (drained and rinsed)
pepper to taste
1/2 pound green beans (cleaned, trimmed and cut)

Directions:
1. Heat the oil in a large sauce pan.
2. Add the onions, carrot and celery and saute until tender, about 10-15 minutes.
3. Add the garlic and saute for a few minutes.
4. Add the stock, ham, beans, oregano and bay leaf and simmer, covered on low heat for an hour.
5. Use an immersion blender to blend some of the beans to give a nice and creamy texture to the soup.
6. Add the remaining can of beans and green beans and simmer long enough to heat them.