U.S. Senate Soup: A Humble Bowl With History

In our house, the holidays usually mean prime rib—the kind of meal that announces this is special and promises excellent leftovers. This year, we shook things up and went with ham instead. Festive? Absolutely. But the real gift came later, tucked into January, when my husband came down with the sniffles and that leftover ham bone was quietly waiting for its moment.

Cue: soup season.

While hunting for a simple ham and bean soup (his all-time favorite), I flipped through my Joy of Cooking soup book and landed—once again—on something I’ve skipped more times than I can count: U.S. Senate Soup. The name doesn’t exactly scream comfort food, and honestly, I’d never stopped long enough to find out what was inside.

This time, I paused.

And I’m really glad I did.

What’s So Great About This Soup?

For one thing, it’s wonderfully unfussy. About ten ingredients. No fancy steps. And if you use canned beans—as I happily did—it comes together quickly. The original recipe calls for dried beans, but two cans of navy beans worked beautifully and saved a good chunk of time.

It’s also pure comfort. Savory, hearty, and exactly what you want on a cold January day, whether you planned ahead or didn’t.

And then there’s the story. Which I didn’t expect to care about. But did.

Why Is It Called U.S. Senate Soup?

This humble bean soup has been served in the U.S. Senate dining room nearly every single day since the early 1900s. Legend has it that a senator (depending on who you ask—and from which state) insisted bean soup should always be on the menu. Over time, it stuck.

The best part? The origin stories span both sides of the aisle, making this a rare, genuinely bipartisan dish. The soup endured not because of politics, but because it was affordable, filling, and—most importantly—good.

Honestly, it’s hard not to love that.

Why Navy Beans?

Navy beans are small, creamy, and sturdy—perfect for long simmers and repeated reheating, which matters in institutional kitchens. They also have deep roots in American cooking, especially in hearty soups meant to stretch ingredients and feed a lot of people.

Add a ham hock, and you end up with a bowl that’s rich without being heavy. Humble food doing exactly what it’s meant to do.

More Than Just Soup

There’s something comforting about the fact that while so much changes, a simple bean soup has just… stayed put. Reliable, familiar, and quietly satisfying.

It’s a reminder that food traditions don’t need to be flashy to matter. Sometimes, they just need to be good—especially when the result is unexpectedly comforting and delicious.

U.S. Senate Soup

Courtesy of the Joy of Cooking

Ingredients

• 2 cans white beans (15.5 oz each), drained and rinsed

• 7 cups water

• 1 ham hock

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 large onion, finely chopped

• 3 medium celery stalks (leaves included!), chopped

• 1 large potato, peeled and cubed

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• Fresh thyme (or ½ teaspoon dried)

• 1 teaspoon salt (the original calls for 1½)

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

Optional:

• Finely diced carrot

• Chopped parsley, for serving

Instructions

Heat olive oil in a large pot. Add the onion, celery, and carrot (if using). Cook until softened.

Add the garlic and thyme; cook just until fragrant.

Add the water and ham hock. Bring to a gentle simmer, then add the potato.

Simmer for about 15 minutes, then add the beans. Continue cooking for another 15–20 minutes.

Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Notes & Options

• Pull the meat from the ham hock and stir it back into the soup.

• Add a pinch more salt if needed.

• Finish with chopped parsley and serve with warm, crusty bread.

A simple bowl. A long history. And proof that sometimes the best recipes are hiding in plain sight.

Have you ever made Senate Soup—or rediscovered a recipe you’d overlooked for years? I’d love to hear about it. 🍲

Paris, Cheese, and My Piece of Nirvana: a Tour to Remember

A delectable selection of artisan cheeses from our tour, artfully arranged on a wooden board, showcasing diverse textures and flavors—minus the already savored Rogue River Blue.

It was one of those Paris mornings that practically begged for adventure. The kind where the light hits the rooftops just right, there's a chill in the air, and you realize there’s nowhere else you’d rather be. Our guide from Paris by Mouth Tours met us with a grin that said, “You’re not ready for what’s coming.” Spoiler: I wasn’t.

Inside Our Paris Cheese Tour

We didn’t just taste cheese, we entered an entirely different dimension of it. Eleven varieties, each with its own story, its own region, its own little slice of French pride.

We began with Coeur des Cévennes, Fleur du Maquis, and Valençay AOP, cheeses with tang, cheeses with lovely flavors that danced across the tongue. Then came the pressed beauties: Beaufort Chalet d’Alpage AOC (instant favorite for me, my friend Stephan) and the nutty, buttery Comté AOC.

Aging to Perfection: Wheels of Cheese

With so many types, it's hard to choose!

Getting down to business: cheese tasting!

By the time we reached the washed rinds, I was all in. Reblochon de Savoie (a request from me) was creamy perfection, but Trappe d’Echourgnac from Dordogne stole my heart and, eventually, space in my suitcase. (Yes, you can bring cheese home now. And I did.)

The Trappe d'Echourgnac (or cheese made by nuns). Beautiful rind, and creamy, nutty paste. Love!

There were sheep’s milk cheeses from the Basque Pyrénées, a bloomy rind Fougerus, and even Fleur du Maquis aux Herbes from Corsica, dotted with wild herbs. The surprise of the day? A bold, velvety Rogue River Blue from Oregon crowned “Best Cheese in the World” in 2019/2020. Leave it to Oregon to follow me all the way to Paris. (But I love it!)

The Fleur du Maquis with a soft rind, or as described by our host, like a "kitten's belly". For the cat lover in me, this one resonated!

Crepes, Caramel, and Contentment

After eleven rounds of cheese, logic said we should’ve been done. But Paris had other plans.

We headed to Breizh Café, home to legendary buckwheat crepes. Mine came stuffed with cheese (of course), ham, and a sunny-side-up egg, all followed by dessert crepes with caramel and melting ice cream.

“But I’m so full,” said no one, ever.

The savory buckwheat crepe filled with cheese (more cheese!), ham, and that gorgeous runny egg. I can't look at this without drooling.

Somewhere between bites two and three, I realized I’d reached peak satisfaction. Paris had officially fed me body, soul, and everything in between. It was, without question, the day I reached my cheese nirvana.

The perfect ending to a great day: a sweet crepe with caramel and ice cream.

Culture Between Courses

The next few days blurred in a happy, buttery haze of art, fashion, and good company. We wandered through Notre Dame, still as breathtaking as ever after its restoration, and spent hours at the Louvre, guided by someone who brought every painting to life with stories and secrets. (Fun fact: we visited the day before the now-famous heist — talk about timing!)

At the Louvre and the gorgeous artwork on the ceiling.

Couldn't resist the Mona Lisa

More gorgeous views in the Louvre

Last Suppers and Last Laughs

Our final dinners in Paris were a blur of flavor and laughter. At Cyril Lignac Aux Prés, we devoured Argentinian beef and a smoky, creamy eggplant starter I’m still thinking about.

Then, for our last night, Verjus stole the show. Up a narrow staircase, tucked into a funky little dining room, we shared a fixed menu that left us speechless.

No photos. No notes. Just pure enjoyment with friends, conversation, and food so good it felt almost sacred. It was the perfect way to end a week that reminded me why I travel in the first place.

The Magic That Stays With You

Now back home, the Trappe d’Echourgnac in my fridge keeps the Paris magic alive — a small, fragrant souvenir of a trip that was more about connection than consumption.

For me, the real souvenirs are the moments: morning croissant runs, laughter over long dinners, the sparkle of the Eiffel Tower through the restaurant window, experiencing the Metro (with Corinne's guidance!)

Paris reminded me that food isn’t just about feeding you; it feeds your soul. It’s a memory-maker, and those flavors, like friendship and good cheese, only get better with time.

Travel Notes

Where We Ate, What I Loved 

Paris by Mouth Cheese Tour. Hands down, one of the most delicious and educational experiences you can have in Paris. Book early!

Where we shopped for cheese—Laurent Dubois at 97 rue Saint Antoine, 75004 and tasted at Vinosfera at 11 rue François Miron, 75004 

Breizh Café — Perfect buckwheat crepes and a cozy vibe. Sweet or savory, you can’t go wrong.

Cyril Lignac Aux Prés — French bistro with flair. The Argentinian beef and smoky eggplant are musts.

Verjus — A tucked-away gem with a fixed tasting menu and that unmistakable Paris charm.

Have you fallen in love with Paris too? I’d love to hear about your favorite food moments, hidden restaurants, or unforgettable bites from the City of Light. Drop a comment below — let’s keep the Paris magic alive together.

Seven Delicious Days in Paris

Early morning magic: buttery, crackly, croissants and pain au chocolat waiting and ready to jam.

It all started over morning coffee back in May.

My husband was lobbying for Maui — beaches, mai tais, the works. I was craving something different. Culture. Cobblestones. And, if I’m honest, an unreasonable amount of cheese. After some friendly negotiation (and a few sunset Eiffel Tower photos strategically placed in front of him), Paris in October won.

Seven days in the City of Light. And this time, I was ready to do it right.

Finding Our Perfect Perch

The Hotel Citadines became our home base, and we couldn’t have picked better. Just forty-five minutes from Charles de Gaulle by train (somewhere along the way, I sacrificed my reading glasses to the travel gods), we arrived at the heart of it all.

Right across the street: a boulangerie that quickly became my morning pilgrimage. Next door: a Monoprix where you can buy anything from travel toothpaste to a striped “Paris-themed” shirt that proudly screams tourist — and yes, I bought it for €17 and wore it with zero shame.

The neighborhood buzzed with cafés and bistros, and a constant parade of people who gave the streets their easy, everyday charm. At night, the tables filled up, wine glasses clinked, and it felt like the whole city came out just to celebrate dinner. Every night!

A Symphony of Flavors

Our first real meal set the tone — a croque monsieur at Les Deux Magots. Classic? Sure. Touristy? Maybe. Delicious? Absolutely. By day two, I was eating another one (this time with fries — because, when in Paris). I digress as I'm distracted by this luscious picture!

Nutty, oozy, baked cheese on bread and a salad on the side. It's all about balance (and the cheese!)

Back to our fabulous feasts.

With jet lag setting in, we decided to walk it off — and, as tends to happen in Paris, that walk led us straight to dinner. Just when I thought our “snack” might have been the meal of the day, we stumbled into Bachaumont Restaurant and Bar, tucked inside the chic Hotel Bachaumont.

The warm, welcoming host guided us through the menu like an old friend, and the bartender even left his post to tempt us with inventive cocktails that paired beautifully with each course. It was our first official dinner in Paris — and the perfect way to kick off a week of good food, laughter, and unexpected magic.

Day two brought a short train ride to the Marché aux Puces, Paris’s famous flea market — a maze of antique shops and tiny cubbies overflowing with treasures. We wandered for hours, admiring everything from grand sculptures to curious little trinkets from decades past. Some pieces stopped us in our tracks; others made us smile and scratch our heads. By the end, we’d worked up a proper appetite and headed back for the requisite nap before, of course, another memorable dinner.

Dinner that night was at Halle au grains, where we ate in the middle of Bourse de Commerce museum. Chicken with Jerusalem artichokes that I still dream about, followed by a pastry so wild it deserves its own paragraph — ruffled layers topped with thin mushroom slices, filled with cream and chocolate. It shouldn’t have worked, but it did. Completely.

A close up of my chicken dinner; cooked to perfection and served alongside Jerusalem artichokes.

Dessert artistry on display: curvy, thin pastry, cream filling, and mushrooms. Yes, mushrooms! And it was delicious!

The Daily Bread (and Butter)

Let’s talk croissants.

A close up of our daily ritual: pastries, coffee, and that gorgeous Parisian sky beckoning. But wait, just ONE MORE latte!

The day before, I’d spotted a bakery window filled with golden pastries — but somehow resisted. By the next morning, resistance was futile. These weren’t just croissants; they were butter-layered clouds of perfection that made every breakfast feel like a tiny celebration.

And the baguettes? Equally divine. I never did catch the shop’s name — I was too busy inhaling that first bite. Soon it became our ritual: fresh pastries from across the street, strong coffee at Stephan and Corinne’s, long breakfasts that turned into conversations. It was the kind of simple luxury that makes you question every rushed morning back home.

And then came the showstopper: Le Jules Verne, perched high inside the Eiffel Tower, courtesy of my friend Corinne’s planning magic. Everything was theater, from the amuse-bouche (a tiny rose that turned out to be a tomato!) to the cheese “taco” paired with cream sauce, to the langoustines and lemon dessert. And of course, that view. Paris glittering below us like a jeweled carpet. It was the kind of dinner you don’t just eat — you remember.

The amuse bouche at Jules Verne: where a tomato blooms into a rose!

The "taco": cheese on the exterior, cheese on the inside, and a mushroom cream sauce on the side. A-mazing.

Light and lemony, plus gorgeous to see this at the (almost end) of dinner.

Rediscovering Paris

It had been more than twenty years since my last visit. Back then, I was wide-eyed, a little intimidated, and constantly flipping through a phrasebook. This time felt different. Maybe it was having Corinne’s fluent French in our group. Maybe it was Paris itself — still elegant, but more welcoming. Or maybe it was just me — not as young (ha!), more comfortable, ready to enjoy the city without trying so hard to “do” Paris right.

This trip felt easy. Warm. Familiar in a way that only a place you’ve missed can be. Paris wasn’t showing off — she was just being herself, and somehow that made her even more beautiful.

The weather stayed crisp and kind, the food was everything I hoped for, and the days blurred in that delicious way only vacation days can. My camera — and my heart — are full of memories. But the City of Light wasn't finished feeding me yet.

Next up? An https://www.funfeasts.com/post/paris-cheese-tour-and-my-piece-of-nirvana that turned indulgence into education — and reminded me why Paris will always have my heart (and my appetite). But that's for the next round and I hope you'll be back!

Travel Notes

A few favorites from our week in Paris — the kind of places I’d go back to in a heartbeat:

Where We Stayed 🏨 Hotel Citadines Les Halles 4 Rue des Innocents, Paris 75001 Perfectly central, clean, and steps from the train — plus, that life-changing bakery right across the street.

Where We Ate 

🍸 Bachaumont Restaurant & Bar — Our first dinner in Paris and a total surprise. Warm, welcoming service, creative cocktails, and a menu that set the tone for the whole trip.

🥐 Les Deux Magots — A Paris classic. Start your trip here with a croque monsieur and some people-watching. 

🍗 Bourse de Commerce — Museum dining meets artful presentation; don’t skip dessert. 

🍋 Le Jules Verne (Eiffel Tower) — For the view and the magic. Reserve early.

What We Saw 

🛍️ Marché aux Puces (Flea Market) — A treasure trove of antiques and curiosities. From grand sculptures to tiny trinkets, it’s the perfect place to wander and wonder.

Budget Find 

👕 Monoprix — Because no one should leave Paris without a striped shirt and a few snacks for the trip home.

Always epic. Forever iconic.