Ham and Bean Soup Prep: 15 mins | Cook: 40 mins | Total: 55 mins | Serves: ['4', '4 servings (1.5 cups each)'] | Cuisine: American There's a myth floating around that a really satisfying soup needs a day of simmering and a laundry list of ingredients. This Ham and Bean Soup quietly proves that wrong. You start with a pot, some oil, and a handful of humble vegetables, and in under an hour you've got something chunky, savory, and deeply comforting on the table. What makes this version so forgiving is the way the vegetables build their own flavor base. When you dice that onion, carrot, and celery into even medium pieces and let them soften in the oil, they release sweetness that carries the whole pot. The minced garlic goes in at the end so it doesn't turn bitter, and a pinch of dried thyme adds an earthy backbone without demanding fresh herbs from your crisper dr...