Simply Brilliant Bean Soup

This recipe is great for using left over ham and ham bones. For those days when you want real comfort food that is loaded with healthy fiber, this is perfect.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup kidney beans (dried)

1/2 cup great northern beans (dried) (white pinto beans)

1/2 cup black beans (dried)

6 cups stock- chicken, turkey, vegetable or whatever you have on hand (or water)

1 ham bone (with some meat still attached)

2 small yellow onions, diced

1/2 teaspoon black ground pepper

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, clean and sift the dried beans (picking through the beans removing any rocks, bad beans ect.)
2. Wash the beans, removing any beans that float to the top (these are bad beans).
3. Once the beans are cleaned, add them to a large dutch oven (or other heavy duty pot)
4. Add 6 cups of water to the pan.
5. Soak the beans over night, OR cook on low for 1.5 hours, until almost soft.
6. Remove from heat and let sit 1 hour.
7. Drain the beans and add back to the pot.
8. Add the 6 cups of stock, onion, bone and seasoning.(NOTE: if you are NOT using stock, you will need to add extra seasoning and salt to taste)
9. Cook for 2-3 hours over low heat until the meat falls off the bone, the beans are tender and the liquid has thickened to a soup consistency.
10. Let sit for 10 minutes before serving.