Best Damn Pot of Ham and Bean Soup Ever (I shit you not)

I'm weak for a good bowl of soup. If it can be eaten with a spoon I swoon. As a busy (occasionally lazy) mom, I appreciate a pot of food that last for days.

We all like Chicken Noodle, Chili, and some people (not me) love Tomato soup. But my personal favorite is Ham and Bean Soup. I don't do anything way out and wacky with my recipe. I stay pretty close to your run of the mill soup. But, damn it is perfect every time.

This recipe does take 4 hours of simmer time. Plus the overnight soaking of your beans. So plan ahead, don't fail me now.

I also make a BIG batch. So get yourself a big soup pot.

 Best Damn Ham and Bean Soup:

•  2-4 c. of "16 Bean Soup" beans
• 8-10 cups water for boiling
• 8 oz. can tomato sauce
• 6 oz. can tomato paste
• 1 Med. Onion, diced
• 3-4 carrots peeled and diced
• 2 lbs ham steak, cubed
• sm. can of diced jalapeños- If you're using fresh, I'd go with 1 jalapeño 
• 3 cloves garlic, diced
• 2-3 tbsp. Salt, pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp. Italian seasoning
• 1-2 tsp. Paprika
  
  Directions

1. Soak 2-4 cups of "16 Bean" soup beans for at least 24 hours. Change out the water once or twice in that time- I swear it means less gas in the end. 
2. In your big soup pot, add all of the ingredients.
3. Bring it to a boil and what ever temperature you like.
4. Let it simmer for about 4 hours, stirring occasionally. Leave the lid off or half on for the whole time. Add more water if you get nervous about the boil off.

Pretty simple but with fantastic taste results.  

Vegan chili and a beer!

Tonight's easy meal plan is vegan chili . It doesn't have a firm recipe, but there are some constant ingredients.
2 green peppers diced
3 cloves garlic minced
1 onion diced
Hot chilies,maybe 2-3 depending on size.
2 cans diced tomatoes (I dig fire roasted or chili ready )
1 can each chickpea, dark kidney, black beans
Big can chili beans in sauce
Big can pumpkin puree

I saute the vegetables with some olive oil in a big pot. Drain and rinse all the non -sauced beans. Add tomatoes to big pot .add beans and puree. Then I gauge how much water it needs donr my personal tastes. Stir in my favorite combination of chili spices, Going heavy on the turmeric and red pepper flake!  Heat until bubbly.

It's not a very complicated recipe. It freezes great and is wonderful all year round. Tonight I'll be enjoying mine with garlic toast and a wheat beer!