White Bean Soup with Smoked Ham

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup dried small white, white kidney or cannellini beans
• 6 fresh parsley sprigs
• 2 fresh thyme sprigs
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 Tbs. olive oil
• 1/4 lb. bacon, finely diced
• 1 yellow onion, minced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 smoked ham hocks, 1 lb. total
• 1 1/2 cups peeled, seeded and chopped tomatoes (fresh or canned)
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 3 Tbs. chopped fresh mint, plus mint sprigs for garnish (optional)
• Salt
• freshly ground pepper