One account attributes a supposed bean soup mandate to a Minnesota senator who expressed his fondness for it more than a century ago.

Drain the soaked beans and discard the water. Place the beans, ham hocks, chicken broth, and bay leaf in a soup pot; do not add salt at this stage. Bring to a boil and simmer for about 1 hour ...

If you're trying to figure out what to do with that leftover Christmas or Easter ham and hambone, then look no further. This ...