When I was at Bob’s Red Mill on Saturday I saw this bag of soup mix and it looked so delicious I had to pick one up. The recipe on the back seemed really simple. I had all the ingredients on hand so on Saturday night I soaked the beans in water.
13 Bean Soup
Cooking Instructions:
1. Wash 2 cups of Bob’s Red Mill Soup Mix, then soak overnight.2. In the morning, drain, rinse, and bring 2.5 quarts of water to boil with the beans and ham hock.
3. Reduce heat and simmer 3-3.5 hours.
4. Add 1 cup chopped onion, one 15 ounce can tomato sauce or 1 tomato, 1.5 teaspoon–1 tablespoon chili powder, 2 teaspoons garlic powder OR 2 cloves minced garlic.
5. Simmer 30 minutes.
Makes 8-10 servings.
Serving Size: 1/2 Cup | Calories: 270 | Carbs: 49g | Fiber: 15g | Protein: 18g
I added chopped up Black Forest Ham (the sliced kind from Costco) because I didn’t have ham hock, I didn’t want to go to the store again, and I needed to use of the deli meat asap. It worked out nicely. I also had about a cup of chicken stock leftover I wanted to use up so I added that into the soup and a little less water. I let the beans simmer on the stove for a few hours Sunday while I ran errands and did some writing. By the time I got home, the water had burned off and it was ready to add all the yummy ingredients.
I didn’t have tomato sauce so I used the canned diced tomatoes and they worked really well. In fact, I probably could have used more than just the one can.
I added the chili powder to taste. I think maybe 2 teaspoons? I didn’t want it to be too spicy, or to suddenly taste like chili, so I went easy on it. I let it sit for about 15 minutes before I added the second teaspoon. I added the minced garlic, salt and pepper.
I was really happy that the soup thickened up like it did. The first time I ever made bean soup it was really watery and not quite the way I wanted it to taste. This time was so much better! It was hearty and thick.
It made so much! I probably could have used half the bag and saved the rest for another time but this way it’s all made for the week. There should be enough for 8 separate meals (lunches or dinners) and I might freeze some of it for another week.
Besides the yummy flavor, I love how it’s pretty low in calories and so high in fiber and protein. Even if I wasn’t on a diet it would be a great soup for any healthy lifestyle! I love Bob’s Red Mill! I can’t wait to try the Israeli Couscous I bought! Now I’m wondering what other goodies I could have put into the soup. Maybe chopped carrots next times! I wonder what other seasonings I could use too?
QUESTION: What do you like to put into your bean soup?
Leah @ L4L
The problem I have with bean mixes like BRM’s is that the beans are so different in size they have vastly different cooking times so half of it ends up as mush just to make sure the other half is fully cooked.
(PS – I really like sundried tomato in my bean soup)
Lisa Eirene
I did not find that to be the case with this one. I can see where that would be a problem but the beans all seemed to be the same texture.
Sundried tomatoes sound like a great idea! I love it!
Beth @ Beth's Journey
That looks delicious Lisa! I love getting pre-mixed bags of beans so you can lots of variety but it all comes together.
Lisa Eirene
It was really good, Beth! I was so happy it turned out.
Workout Nirvana
This is awesome, thank you. I bought a bag of 30 types of beans & still haven’t used it. Now I will!
Lisa Eirene
It’s VERY filling!
cindylu
I’ve never made bean soup, but one of my favorite simple meals is frijoles de la olla (beans from the pot). They’re still in their “juice,” flavored simply with salt, onion and garlic. Some time’s I’ll add crumbly Mexican cheese.
Lisa Eirene
That sounds delicious! We love doing anything Mexican so I will look for a recipe to try this.
cindylu
I like this recipe for frijoles de la olla (actually, her whole blog is pretty awesome).
Lisa Eirene
Thanks for the link! I will check it out.
Katie @ Up Fit Creek
I’m so glad you made this! The Amish store near our house carries it and I always think it looks interesting, but I’ve never picked it up. Definitely will be doing so on my next trip!
Lisa Eirene
Katie, give it a try! I was nervous about it because I’d made a bean soup mix previously and it hadn’t turned out well. But this time, it was GREAT!
Carbzilla
We drove by Bob’s Red Mill today!!! I cannot wait to go in there. Have you eaten in the restaurant? I seriously don’t know how I’m not going to gain weight on our trips to PDX…sooo much good food!
Lisa Eirene
You were in my neighborhood!
I’ve eaten there a few times and it was disappointing. But maybe it’s gotten better??
Carbzilla
I’d rather know if it was disappointing because there are so many other places to choose from!
(We had to go to Clackamas to pick up the keys)
Lisa Eirene
I’ve eaten at Bob’s Red Mill about three times now and I remember being disappointed every time. Like nothing special about the food, the biscuits were really dry (which shocked me since it’s a bakery too!) and the food was kinda cold. 🙁
Lisa Eirene
There are about 10 MUCH better restaurants I could tell you about for breakfast too. The first one that comes to my mind is Hash in Sellwood. You’d love it! Genie’s on Division is good. Jam’s on Hawthorne is great (right near your place too).
Karen@WaistingTime
Oh I’m with you in liking to add some ham. The last time I made bean soup I think was after some holiday when I had ham leftover and made the soup just for that reason!
Lisa Eirene
I think the ham makes it great!
Maria
I add carrots, peas and corn, love it!!!