posted by ginger125 11-24-100 3:19 PM
Bean Soup Mix
1/4 cup dried garbanzo beans
1/4 cup dried navy beans or lima beans
1/4 cup dried red kidney beans or pinto beans
1/4 cup dried whole or split peas
3 Tablespoons minced dried onion
2 Tablespoons whole wheat berries
2 Tablespoons pearl barley
2 Tablespoons dried celery flakes
2 tsps. instant beef bouillon granules
1/2 tsp. dried basil, crushed
1 bay leaf
Salt
Combine all ingredients in a plastic bag or an airtight container; store, tightly sealed, until needed.
Bean Soup:
Combine contents of package with 7 cups water in a 3-quart saucepan. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 2 minutes. Remove from heat, cover, and let stand 1 hour. (Or soak bean mixture in the water overnight in a covered pan.) Do not drain. Bring beans and liquid to boiling, reduce heat. Cover and simmer 1-1/2 to 2 hours or until beans tender. Remove bay leaf. Season to taste. Makes 6-8 side dish servings.
Bean Soup with Meat:
Follow basic recipe through the soaking step. Add 1 3/4-1 pound smoked pork hock or beef shank crosscuts. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 1 hour for pork hocks or 1-1/2 hour for beef shanks. Remove meat, chop coarsely and return to soup. Remove bay leaf. Add 1 (16-oz.) can tomatoes, cut up and undrained. Add one medium carrot, chopped. Cover and simmer for 30 more minutes. Season to taste.
Makes 4-6 servings