Louisiana Ham & Bean Soup Recipe | Chica Licka Bam Bam

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 3 large celery stalks, diced
• 2 large carrots, scrubbed or peeled, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon Chica Licka Bam Bam seasoning
• 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon Creole mustard
• 3 bay leaves, fresh or dry
• 4 thyme sprigs
• 1 pound dry navy or great Northern beans, sorted, rinsed and soaked overnight
• 1 ham hock or smoked ham shank (1½ to 1¾ pounds)
• Up to 2 cups cooked ham, shredded or diced into ½-inch cubes (see note below)
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Thinly sliced scallions
• Lemon wedges
• Hot sauce