French Quarter Bean Soup

Irmgard's Note:

I am posting this recipe on request of another member. I have never made it myself but she said it is very good so I will have to try now.

• Total Time: 3 hrs
• Prep Time: 1 hrs
• Cook Time: 2 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 12

• 1 cup dry pinto beans
• ½ cup dried red kidney beans
• ½ cup dried garbanzo beans
• 1 ½ lbs ham hocks
• 32 ounces tomatoes , cut up
• 1 ½ cups celery , chopped
• 1 cup onion , chopped
• 2 garlic cloves , minced
• 2 bay leaves
• ¼ teaspoon ground red pepper
• ½ lb smoked sausage , sliced, cooked and drained
• 1 lb chicken thigh
• 3 tablespoons fresh parsley , chopped

Directions:

1. Rinse the beans.
2. In a Dutch oven, combine the beans and enough water to cover.
3. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 2 minutes.
4. Remove from the heat.
5. Cover and let stand 1 hour. (Or you could just soak the beans over night.).
6. Drain.
7. Add 6 cups fresh water and the ham hocks.
8. Bring to a boil and reduce heat.
9. Cover and simmer for 1 hour.
10. Remove the ham hocks.
11. When cool enough to handle, cut off the meat and chop. Discard the bones.
12. Return the meat to the bean mixture.
13. Add the undrained tomatoes, celery, onion, garlic, bay leaves and red pepper, then add the sliced sausage and chicken thighs.
14. Bring to a boil.
15. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer about 1 hour or until the chicken and beans are tender.
16. Remove the chicken thighs and cool slightly.
17. Remove the meat from the bones and chop.
18. Discard the bones and return the meat to the soup.
19. Add the parsley and remove the bay leaves.

Reviews

[Charlotte J]

Irmgard, if you still have not tried this soup, you have got to give it a try. It is wonderful and I loved the flavors. The broth has so much flavor in it, that you will never be bored with this soup. You could get a different taste with each bite depending on if you had a piece of ham or sausage on your spoon. This was made in a crockpot. I cooked all the meats on High for about 4 hours, de-boned them and put it all back into the pot. I will be making this again. Made for *Zaar Chef Alphabet Soup* (Jan '10-June '10)