Calico Bean Soup

I made this bean soup mix for a group at church and it was really fun and easy. I added cooked Italian sausage to my soup, along with some onion powder, garlic powder and a few red pepper flakes. There were 4 of us that made this bean soup with different variations, and everyone liked mine best.

This was the first time I’ve cooked with dried beans where my husband didn’t complain of gas. I think it was because it suggested washing the pot with soap before using it for the rest of the recipe.

The bean soup mix looks like the jar on the right.

To Make Calico Bean Soup Mix~

In a 1 quart jar layer~

2/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon Dry Black Beans

2/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon Dry Great White Northern Beans

2/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon Dry Red Kidney Beans

2/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon Dry Pinto Beans

2/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon Dry Green Split Peas

Flavor Packet~

(Put in a small zip lock bag and place in top of jar)

3 Beef or Chicken Bouillon cubes

3 tablespoons dried chives

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon savory seasoning

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1 bay leaf

Place lid on screw lid on jar. Decorate as desired. Be sure and give the directions for making the soup with the jar~

Calico Bean Soup~

Quick cook method~

Rinse beans.

Put beans in a large pot. Add 9 cups of water.

Heat to boiling and cook for 3 minutes.

Remove from heat and let them sit for 1 hour.

After 1 hour, drain and rinse the beans very well. Wash the large pot.

Put the drained beans back into the washed pot and add 5-6 cups of water. Cook until beans are tender. Drain.

Add flavor packet and 5 cups water simmer for 30 minutes and serve.

To add more flavor and variety add the following ingredients when you add the flavor packet add any of these~

1 quart tomatoes

1 can corn, drained

1 pound browned sausage, chicken or hamburger.