Country Six Bean Soup Mix

By carvalhohm

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup dried baby lima beans
• 1/2 cup dried kidney beans
• 1/2 cup dried Great Northern beans
• 1 1/2 cup dried red beans
• 1/2 cup dried navy beans
• 1/2 cup dried pinto beans
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 tablespoons dried minced onion
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
• 2 teaspoons beef bouillon granules
• 1 teaspoon dried minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Details

Servings 1
Adapted from bettycrocker.com

Preparation

Step 1

Country Six Bean Soup Mix:
Layer ingredients in 1 quart wide mouth jar in following order: baby lima beans, kidney beans, Great Northern beans, red beans, navy beans and pinto beans. Slide bay leaves down side of jar. Place onion, parsley, bouillon granules, garlic, thyme, oregano, black pepper and red pepper flakes in small food storage bag. Seal bag and place in jar. Seal jar.

Decorate jar and attach gift tag/recipe card as follows:

Country Six Bean Soup:
1 jar Country Six Bean Soup Mix
4 to 5 cups water
1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes with Italian seasonings
2 smoked ham hocks or 8 ounces smoked sausage links, sliced
Hot pepper sauce or red wine vinegar (optional)

Remove seasoning packet and bay leaves from jar mix. Set aside.

Place beans in large bowl. Cover with water. Soak 6 to 8 hours or overnight. (To quick soak beans; place beans in large saucepan ; cover with water. Bring to a boil over high heat. Boil 2 minutes. Remove from heat; let soak, covered 1 hour.) Drain beans. Discard water.

Combine soaked beans, 4 cups water, tomatoes, ham hocks, contents of seasoning packet and bay leaves into Dutch oven. Bring to a boil over high heat. Cover and reduce heat. Simmer 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until beans are tender, adding more water if necessary.

Remove and discard bay leaves. Take out ham hocks. Remove skin and cut meat from bones into pieces . Return meat to pan. Season to taste with hot pepper sauce, if desired.

Note: For thicker consistency, mash beans slightly with potato masher.