Bean Soup Mix

Combine all ingredients in a plastic bag or an airtight container; store, tightly sealed, until needed.

Bean Soup:

1. Combine contents of package with 7 cups water in a 3-quart saucepan.
    
2. Bring to boil; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 2 minutes.
    
3. Remove from heat, cover, and let stand 1 hour. (Or soak bean mixture in the water overnight in a covered pan.) Do not drain.
    
4. Bring beans and liquid to boiling, reduce heat. Cover and simmer 1-1/2 to 2 hours or until beans are tender.
    
5. Remove bay leaf. Season to taste. Makes 6-8 side dish servings.
    

Bean Soup with Meat:

1. Follow basic recipe through the soaking step. Add 1 3/4-1 pound smoked pork hock or beef shank crosscuts.
    
2. Bring to boil; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 1 hour for pork hocks or 1-1/2 hour for beef shanks.
    
3. Remove meat, chop coarsely and return to soup. Remove bay leaf.
    
4. Add 1 16-oz. can tomatoes, cut up and undrained. Add one medium carrot, chopped.
    
5. Cover and simmer for 30 more minutes. Season to taste. Makes 4-6 servings.

Chili Bean Soup:

1. Follow basic recipe but reduce water to 5-1/2 cups.
    
2. Remove bay leaf. Brown 1/2 pound ground beef and drain off fat.
    
3. Add 1 tsp. chili powder and cook 1 minute. Add to bean soup along with 1 10-oz. can Rotel.
    
4. Heat through, stirring occasionally. Season to taste. Serve in tortilla bowls or with corn chips. Garnish with jalapenos, if desired. Makes 6-8 main-dish servings.

Bean Cheese Soup:

1. Follow basic recipe through the soaking step, except reduce water to 4 cups.
    
2. emove bay leaf. Mash beans slightly.
    
3. Add 2 cups milk and 1 6-oz. link cheese food or smoked cheese food.
    
4. ook and stir until beans are soft. Makes 4-6 main dish servings.