Eleven Bean Soup

Total Time: 5 hrs 5 mins Preparation Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 5 hrs

Ingredients

• 2 cups eleven bean soup mix or 2 cups any combination of mixed beans
• 12 cups water
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 smoked ham hock or 1 smoked turkey leg
• 1 bouquet garni, recommended bouquet garni
• 1 (28 ounce) can italian tomatoes, chopped
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 cup sliced celery
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 1 green pepper, chopped
• ground pepper, to taste
• 1 lb smoked sausage, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
• 1 boneless skinless chicken breast, cubed
• additional salt, to taste

Recipe

• 1 rince, drain, and pick over beans.
• 2 place beans in an 8 quart pot with water, salt, ham hock, and bouquet garni.
• 3 bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer covered for 3 hours.
• 4 add tomatoes, onions, celery, garlic, and green pepper to pot.
• 5 bring back to a boil, reduce heat and simmer covered for 1 1/2 hours.
• 6 add black pepper to taste, sausage, and chicken and simmer uncovered for 40 minutes.
• 7 remove ham hock, disguard bones and skin, and return meat to pot.
• 8 remove bouquet garni before serving.