Classic Ham and Bean Soup | epicuricloud (Tina Verrelli)

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 cup finely chopped onion
• 1 cup finely chopped carrot
• 1 cup finely chopped celery
• 1 large bay leaf
• 3 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
• ham bone or left-over ham (see note)
• 1 1/2 cups dried great northern beans (see note)
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 sprig fresh rosemary (see note)
• 3 sprigs fresh thyme (see note)
• 8 cups water
• 1 2-inch piece Parmesan cheese rind (optional)
• 1 cup finely diced ham (reserve until end of recipe)
• salt to taste