Category: Soups & Stews

1 pound (2 cups) dry Pinto Beans, soaked
1 ham bone
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
1/4 cup bacon fat or shortening
1 large onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
4 medium tomatoes, chopped or
1-1/4 cups canned tomatoes
1/4 cup minced parsley
1/2 teaspoon ground marjoram
1 tablespoon (or more) chili powder

Drain beans, cover with fresh water. Add ham bone, salt and hot pepper sauce. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for about 1 hour or until beans are tender. Drain beans and reserve liquid. Heat bacon fat in large skillet; cook onion and garlic in fat until golden. Add all remaining ingredients. Cover and cook about 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently. Combine tomato mixture with beans. Add bean liquid as needed to achieve stew consistency. Simmer, covered, over low heat for another 15 minutes. Remove ham bone before serving.

Makes 6-8 servings.

1/4 cup olive oil
4 cups chopped red bell peppers (4 medium)
2 cups chopped onions (2 medium)
2 cups chopped green bell peppers (2 medium)
8 medium cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
1 can (28 oz.) tomatoes, undrained
2 cans (14.5 oz. each) reduced sodium chicken broth
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
3 cups cooked kidney beans, drained and rinsed*
1 jar (12 oz.) prepared salsa
1 package (10 oz.) frozen corn kernels
1 teaspoon black pepper
*1 cup dry makes 3 cups cooked.

In a large pot, heat oil over high heat. Add bell peppers, onions and garlic; sauté for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add chili powder, cumin and cayenne; cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.

Add tomatoes, breaking them up with a spoon, and broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer for 15 minutes to reduce liquid slightly.

Stir in chicken, cooked kidney beans, salsa and corn. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through. Stir in black pepper and salt.

Serve with a topping of shredded cheese, sour cream and chopped green onion.

Makes 10-12 servings.

1/2 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup diced onion
2 tbsp. butter or margarine
2 tbsp. flour
1 cup water
2/3 cup milk
Dash of bottled hot pepper sauce
3-1/3 cups, drained, cooked baby Limas
1 can (16 oz.) whole kernel corn
1 can (8 oz.) tomatoes, crushed
3/4 cup shredded Jack cheese
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper

Sauté celery and onion in butter. Blend in flour. Add water and milk. Cook, stirring until thickened
and smooth. Add cooked beans, corn (with its liquid), tomatoes and cheese. Heat thoroughly, but do not boil. Season to taste with salt, pepper and hot sauce. Serve with wedges of sheepherder’s or sour dough bread.

1 cup Lentils
1/4 lb. salt pork
1/2 cup diced celery
4 cups water
1/3 cup diced onions
1/8 tsp. black pepper

Wash Lentils, drain. Combine ingredients; bring to boiling point; reduce heat; simmer 30-40 minutes or until tender. Rub through sieve or put through fine food chopper (optional). There should be a minimum of 1-1/2 quarts. Heat to boiling point. May be garnished with thin slices of wieners or smoked sausage.

1 tablespoon olive oil
1-1/2 cups chopped onion (1 large)
2 cups thinly sliced carrots (4-5 medium)
1 cup thinly sliced celery (2 stalks)
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 12 oz. bags of black beans (follow soak instructions on bag)
1 can (14.5 oz.) low sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup beer*
1-1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/8-1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
* may substitute 1/2 cup chicken broth or water.

Condiments:
lemon or lime slices
sour cream or plain yogurt
salsa
cooked white or yellow rice
shredded Cheddar cheese

In a large saucepan, heat olive oil over medium-high heat; sauté onion, carrots, celery and garlic for 3 minutes. Cover; cook 10 minutes, stirring several times until vegetables are very soft. Transfer vegetables to food processor or blender. Add beans. Purée until very smooth. Return mixture to saucepan. Drain and rinse remaining beans; add to soup. Stir in broth, beer, cumin and cayenne. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Cook uncovered 10 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking. Serve with squeeze of lemon or lime, or choice of condiments.

Makes about 7 cups. Serves 6

1 cup large lima beans, soaked
3/4 cup finely chopped carrots (2 medium)
1-1/3 cups finely chopped celery (3 stalks)
1 cup chopped tomatoes (1 medium)
6 cups water
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground black pepper to taste

In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, combine soaked lima beans, carrots, celery, tomatoes and water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer, partially covered, until beans and vegetables are tender, about 1 hour.

In a small skillet over low heat, melt butter. Add onion and parsley; cook until onion is soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in flour and cook 1 minute; stir mixture into soup and simmer until soup is slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Makes 4 cups. Serves 4. Recipe can be doubled.

1⁄2 cup dry white baby lima beans
1 tablespoon oil
Salt to taste
3⁄4 cup each, sliced celery and diced onion
1⁄2 cup diced green pepper
1⁄4 cup butter or margarine
1 can (29-oz.) tomatoes, crushed
1 can (14-1⁄2-oz.) chicken stock*
1⁄2 teaspoon basil, crushed
1⁄2 pound uncooked white fish fillets, cut into 1-inch cubes
Pepper (optional)

Soak beans by preferred method. Drain and rinse. In large pot, place soaked beans, 3 cups hot water, oil and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Boil gently with lid tilted 20 to 25 minutes or until beans are tender. Drain and rinse. Sauté celery, onion and green pepper in butter until tender. Add sautéed vegetables, tomatoes, chicken stock and basil to beans. Bring to boil and add whitefish. Cook 10 minutes longer or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork. Salt and pepper to taste.

Makes 6 – 8 servings.

*Two cups homemade chicken or fish stock may be substituted.