15 BEAN SOUP
This recipe came off the label from HamBeens, a company that makes packages of a variety of 15 beans for various soups and chilis. You can look up their other soup recipes online. Another 'A' recipe from the Art Flores rating system!
Ingredients
1 pkg HamBeens® 15 BEAN SOUP®
8 (9-10 if you prefer a more "brothy" soup) cups water OR use chicken/beef/vegetable broth for added flavor.
1 lb. ground sausage (browned in a pan before adding to pot), ham hocks, or diced ham.
1 medium size onion, diced
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 oz.)
1 tbsp. chili powder
Juice from 1 lemon
Optional: Hot sauce, salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Directions
NO SOAK METHOD
In a colander or sieve, rinse beans thoroughly. Sort and inspect for any unwanted debris and discard.
Drain and pour beans in a slow cooker with 8 cups of stock/water, onions, garlic, and meat or hambone. (Not tomato or lemon juice yet!). Use 9-10 cups of liquid if you like a more "brothy" soup.
Stir to combine. Set slow cooker on high and cook for 6-7 hours then check to make sure beans are tender. The soup can continue to simmer for several hours and will develop more flavor over time.
After the beans are tender, remove the hambone. Chop or shred any ham that has fallen from the bone and add back to the pot. Stir in the can of diced tomatoes, our included Ham Flavor packet, optional chili powder, and the lemon juice.
Cook for additional 30 minutes then keep warm until ready to serve.
You can also serve over rice as well.
SOAK METHOD
Soak your beans in water overnight.
Drain and add to a soup pot then add 8 cups of water.
Bring to a boil.
While the pot is cooking, cook your onions, garlic, and ground sausage, chorizo, or diced ham until brown.
Once the soup pot reaches boiling, turn to low, and your onions, garlic, and meat then simmer until beans are soft. That could take 1 - 2 hours so check periodically.
Once the beans are done, add your can of diced tomatoes, flavor packet and lemon juice.
We used the soak method and just had it as a hearty soup. We served it with a dollop of sour cream. Enjoy!