Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 ½ cups chopped onion
• 1 cup diced celery
• 1 cup diced carrot
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
• 6 garlic cloves, chopped
• 2 pounds smoked ham hocks
• 1 pound dried great northern beans
• 2 (26-ounce) containers unsalted chicken stock (such as swanson)
• ¼ cup minced fresh chives
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper