Nine Bean Soup

This hearty soup can be made in a large slow cooker or on top of the stove.  It is so handy to have a pot of soup to warm up during the week.  Adding the bok choy at the end provides extra nutrition to the mix of beans. 

• 1 smoked ham hock 
• 1/2 pound chorizo,  diced
• 9 cups water
• 2 cups of nine bean soup mix, or a variety of beans and lentils (without seasoning)
• 2 onions, diced
• 1 cup celery, diced
• 10 peppercorns
• 6 whole allspice
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon dried summer savoury
• 2 tablespoons dried parsley
• Salt and Pepper to taste
• 3 carrots, diced
• 1 28 ounce / 796 ml can diced tomatoes
• dash of natural hickory liquid smoke 
• 3 baby bok choy, chopped (optional)
• Salt and Pepper to taste

1. Put the ham hock or ham bone and chorizo in a slow cooker set to low and add water along with beans, onion, celery.
2. Add peppercorns, allspice, and bay leaves(tied into a square of cheesecloth or in a spice ball).
3. Sprinkle with summer savoury and parsley. 
4. Cook on high 6 - 8 hours. 
5. Remove ham and break it apart into bite-sized pieces. Discard ham bone. 
6. Add carrots, tomatoes, reserved ham and a dash of natural hickory liquid smoke.
7. Continue to cook on low until carrots are tender. Add chopped baby bok choy in the last 15 minutes of cooking.  
8. Serve with a dollop of sour cream and add salt and pepper to taste.