Here's a soup recipe I love. You can buy the 17 bean mix at Trader Joes if you live near one, otherwise just
mix a variety of beans and barley.
Smoky Bean Soup
1 onion, chopped
1 cup celery, chopped
1 cup carrots, chopped
3 garlic cloves, crushed
4 cups blackened chopped tomatoes,
see below
1 can tomato sauce
3 tablespoons freshly chopped basil
1 package Trader Joe's 17 bean and barley
mix or 2 cups mixed beans and barley
SOAKED OVERNIGHT IN WATER
8 - 10 cups vegetable broth
1-2 tablespoons liquid smoke, or more to taste
salt and pepper to taste
Saute onions, celery, carrots and garlic for about 5 minutes in a little water or vegetable broth. While cooking,
add chopped diced tomatoes (leave skin on-this is what will char slightly) to a nonstick cooking pan sprayed with Pam and saute until they begin to brown and char slightly. When vegetables are softened
add the tomatoes, tomato sauce, basil and the soaked beans and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Add the liquid smoke and salt and pepper and adjust seasonings.
NOTE-These measures are all approximate as I didn't follow a specific recipe so play around with it until it
tastes right.
------------------------------