Ham, Bean And Swiss Chard Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

4 slices bacon
3 -4 large garlic cloves, minced
1 onion, chopped
1 carrot, diced
8 ounces cubed ham
red pepper flakes, to taste
black pepper, to taste
1 large bunch swiss chard, stems chopped, leaves thinly sliced
32 ounces low sodium chicken broth
1 (15 1/2 ounce) can roman beans (do not drain or rinse) or (15 1/2 ounce) can cranberry beans (do not drain or rinse)
1 (15 ounce) can diced fire-roasted tomatoes (undrained)
1 teaspoon hot sauce
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
grated parmesan cheese, to taste

Preparation

Fry bacon slices over medium heat in a Dutch oven or soup kettle, then remove and drain on paper towels. Saute garlic, onion, carrot, and Swiss chard stems in bacon grease until soft, then add ham, red pepper flakes, and black pepper. Add Swiss chard leaves and saute until they are wilted.
Add chicken broth, Roman beans and tomatoes. Stir together, increase heat and bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer, uncovered, for about 30 minutes. Add hot sauce and Worcestershire sauce. Crumble bacon slices and add to soup. Stir in Parmesan cheese to taste.