How to Make Organic Bean Soup

Having some satisfying soup can make you feel all cozy and warm and secure and can heal what aches you both physically and mentally. I just made up a batch of 13 bean soup from scratch and served it with corn bread, and wanted to share it with everyone. There is plenty left over for quick meals the rest of the week. It is so satisfying and so good for you and a great way to stretch a dollar.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Package of beans, the more different kinds of beans the better that you find at your local Henry's
• Tomato Sauce
• Onion
• Garlic
• Chili Powder

1. 
   Beans for Soup

   You want to have as many different kinds of beans that you can. Navy, black, red, pinto, lima, garbanzo, kidney beans, black eyed, yellow split, green split peas and lentils. You need all these ingredients to make the best soup. You can either buy them separately, or buy a package of them that are already mixed.

2. 
   2 cups of beans

   Measure out 2 cups of beans and rinse them in a strainer.

3. 
   Soak the beans

   Pour the beans into a pot and fill the pot half way with water, so that the water covers the beans. Put a paper towel over the top and let the beans soak overnight.

4. 
   Drain beans

   Drain the beans and put them into a pot for cooking with 2 1/2 quarts of water. Bring to boil and toss in a ham hock for flavoring.
   
   If you don't have a ham hock you can also use precooked ham that you chop up into small pieces.
   
   Reduce head and simmer 3 to 3 1/2 hours.

5. 
   Onion

   You can also do this with your crock pot. Put the crock pot on high and let the beans cook for at least 4 hours. Go ahead and chop up your onions and set them in the refrigerator for later.

6. 
   Chopped onions and ingredients

   Add a cup of chopped up onions, and a 15 ounce can of tomato sauce or you could also use a quart of tomatoes. Add about 1 tablespoon of chili powder and 2 teaspoons of garlic powder and 2 cloves of minced garlic (You can lower or add spices according to how you would like it.) and cook for 30 minutes if on the stove or an hour if you are using the crock pot.

7. 
   Bean Soup in Crock Pot.

   While you are waiting go ahead and prepare your cornbread and put it in the oven 30 minutes before you soup is done. Serve and enjoy. Put the leftover soup in a container and when you are ready for some, just microwave to heat and enjoy.

Resources

• eHow Going Green Guide

[rollerqueen]

on 5/6/2009 Thank you, I didn't know what to do with my beans after I bought them!!!!

[kkemp]

on 12/15/2008 Yummo!