15 Bean Soup

Damsel in dis Dress said:

Neither Crash nor I have ever tried it, but we bought a bag of the
dried beans with powdered ham stuff last night. You add canned
tomatoes, chili powder, lemon juice, onions and garlic. Is this
stuff good as-is, or should we be adding some other seasonings (I
assume that a bay leaf is in order)? This is a 20-ounce bag. We'd
better like this stuff!

<sarcasm> I know, I know. How can I buy a whole bag of soup mix when
I don't know whether or not I'll like it? </sarcasm> Thank you in
advance, Sheryl, for your concern.

Thanks,
Carol

LOL I tried it once. You definitely need to add something more to it. Bay
leaf, absolutely. Ham if you have it towards the end (and I think you do).
If you can use a ham base or some kind of broth (chicken?) rather than just
the water they suggest - well, that ham powder doesn't have a lot of taste
to it. But I think it can be doctored up pretty nicely. I know you don't
like spicy but I'd add a shot or two of Tabasco to it; that's just me.

Jill

A little birdie told me that 'jmcquown said:

I tried it once. You definitely need to add something more to it. Bay
leaf, absolutely. Ham if you have it towards the end (and I think you do).

Nope, the ham has bitten the proverbial dust. We had about enough left for
one more breakfast of omelettes when I discovered a tiny, pine-green spot
of mold. Mold and I don't co-exist very well. Bacon is a possible option.

Quoted message said:

If you can use a ham base or some kind of broth (chicken?) rather than just
the water they suggest - well, that ham powder doesn't have a lot of taste
to it.

Too late. It's already in the water, but we could add some chicken
bouillon. We also have bacon grease, even if we decide not to cook any to
add to the soup. I love bacon grease as an ingredient.

Quoted message said:

But I think it can be doctored up pretty nicely. I know you don't
like spicy but I'd add a shot or two of Tabasco to it; that's just me.

We're out of regular chili powder, so we'll be using Hott Damn powder.
Probably won't need the Tabasco.

Thanks, Jill!
Carol
--
Coming at you live, from beautiful Lake Woebegon

"Damsel in dis Dress" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Neither Crash nor I have ever tried it, but we bought a bag of the dried
beans with powdered ham stuff last night. You add canned tomatoes, chili
powder, lemon juice, onions and garlic. Is this stuff good as-is, or
should we be adding some other seasonings (I assume that a bay leaf is in
order)? This is a 20-ounce bag. We'd better like this stuff!

<sarcasm> I know, I know. How can I buy a whole bag of soup mix when I
don't know whether or not I'll like it? </sarcasm> Thank you in advance,
Sheryl, for your concern.

Sheryl, hell! Watch out for Sheldon!

Quoted message said:

Thanks,
Carol
--
Coming at you live, from beautiful Lake Woebegon

Bret

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A little birdie told me that 'Maverick said:

"Damsel in dis Dress" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Neither Crash nor I have ever tried it, but we bought a bag of the dried
beans with powdered ham stuff last night. You add canned tomatoes, chili
powder, lemon juice, onions and garlic. Is this stuff good as-is, or
should we be adding some other seasonings (I assume that a bay leaf is in
order)? This is a 20-ounce bag. We'd better like this stuff!

<sarcasm> I know, I know. How can I buy a whole bag of soup mix when I
don't know whether or not I'll like it? </sarcasm> Thank you in advance,
Sheryl, for your concern.

Sheryl, hell! Watch out for Sheldon!

Nah, my mom passed in 1984, so Sheldon has no one to insult. Besides, he's
been quite pleasant lately. Even fun. 🙂

BTW, the soup is fabulous! Crash added cayenne pepper and shredded
cheddar to his. I added basil, parmesan cheese, and Penzey's red bell
pepper to mine. It'll be better with ham or sausage, but this was a very
frugal, very delicious dinner. Two-thirds of the soup is already gone!
(I'm picking the lima beans out)

Carol
--
Coming at you live, from beautiful Lake Woebegon

jmcquown said:

Damsel in dis Dress said:

Neither Crash nor I have ever tried it, but we bought a bag of the
dried beans with powdered ham stuff last night. You add canned
tomatoes, chili powder, lemon juice, onions and garlic. Is this
stuff good as-is, or should we be adding some other seasonings (I
assume that a bay leaf is in order)? This is a 20-ounce bag. We'd
better like this stuff!

<sarcasm> I know, I know. How can I buy a whole bag of soup mix

when

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I don't know whether or not I'll like it? </sarcasm> Thank you in
advance, Sheryl, for your concern.

Thanks,
Carol

LOL I tried it once. You definitely need to add something more to

it. Bay

Quoted message said:

leaf, absolutely. Ham if you have it towards the end (and I think

you do).

Quoted message said:

If you can use a ham base or some kind of broth (chicken?) rather

than just

Quoted message said:

the water they suggest - well, that ham powder doesn't have a lot of

taste

Quoted message said:

to it. But I think it can be doctored up pretty nicely. I know you

don't

Quoted message said:

like spicy but I'd add a shot or two of Tabasco to it; that's just

me.

Quoted message said:

Jill

I like celery in my bean soups, carrots too, for color, otherwise bean
soups can look kinda blah. And if you don't have a ham bone slice in a
couple quality hot dogs... just about anyone can get their mitts on a
weenie... talking about weenies, whatever happened to the edleweenie?

Sheldon

jmcquown said:

Damsel in dis Dress said:

Neither Crash nor I have ever tried it, but we bought a bag of the
dried beans with powdered ham stuff last night. You add canned
tomatoes, chili powder, lemon juice, onions and garlic. Is this
stuff good as-is, or should we be adding some other seasonings (I
assume that a bay leaf is in order)? This is a 20-ounce bag. We'd
better like this stuff!

<sarcasm> I know, I know. How can I buy a whole bag of soup mix

when

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I don't know whether or not I'll like it? </sarcasm> Thank you in
advance, Sheryl, for your concern.

Thanks,
Carol

LOL I tried it once. You definitely need to add something more to

it. Bay

Quoted message said:

leaf, absolutely. Ham if you have it towards the end (and I think

you do).

Quoted message said:

If you can use a ham base or some kind of broth (chicken?) rather

than just

Quoted message said:

the water they suggest - well, that ham powder doesn't have a lot of

taste

Quoted message said:

to it. But I think it can be doctored up pretty nicely. I know you

don't

Quoted message said:

like spicy but I'd add a shot or two of Tabasco to it; that's just

me.

Quoted message said:

Jill

I like celery in my bean soups, carrots too, for color, otherwise bean
soups can look kinda blah. And if you don't have a ham bone slice in a
couple quality hot dogs... just about anyone can get their mitts on a
weenie... talking about weenies, whatever happened to the edleweenie?

Sheldon

Damsel in dis Dress said:

Neither Crash nor I have ever tried it, but we bought a bag of the dried
beans with powdered ham stuff last night. You add canned tomatoes, chili
powder, lemon juice, onions and garlic. Is this stuff good as-is, or
should we be adding some other seasonings (I assume that a bay leaf is in
order)? This is a 20-ounce bag. We'd better like this stuff!

<sarcasm> I know, I know. How can I buy a whole bag of soup mix when I
don't know whether or not I'll like it? </sarcasm> Thank you in advance,
Sheryl, for your concern.

I've never tried a 15 bean "mix" with anything other than beans in it,
but I love it!! If you're worried about flavor, just remember to salt
your soup at the end. If it tastes bland, add a little more salt.

If you're still worried, start off by adding a can of chicken broth or
using a ham hock/bone... I'd just throw it in at the beginning and
fish out the bone at the end. I also think adding a small can of
stewed tomato is good (NO chili powder for me though - that's not a
flavor I want in soup), onion and garlic are a must, bay only if you
wish, lemon will change the flavor too, but not as much as chili
powder.

Here's what I think is absolutely necessary: onion, garlic and salt.
The rest is superfluous.

Practice safe eating. Always use condiments.

Try a tablespoon or two of dry sherry added before serving. (Try a bit ön
the side"before adding it to the entire soup, in case u don't like it :-)

Richard.
"Damsel in dis Dress" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Neither Crash nor I have ever tried it, but we bought a bag of the dried
beans with powdered ham stuff last night. You add canned tomatoes, chili
powder, lemon juice, onions and garlic. Is this stuff good as-is, or
should we be adding some other seasonings (I assume that a bay leaf is in
order)? This is a 20-ounce bag. We'd better like this stuff!

<sarcasm> I know, I know. How can I buy a whole bag of soup mix when I
don't know whether or not I'll like it? </sarcasm> Thank you in advance,
Sheryl, for your concern.

Thanks,
Carol
--
Coming at you live, from beautiful Lake Woebegon

A little birdie told me that "Richard Green" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Try a tablespoon or two of dry sherry added before serving. (Try a bit ön
the side"before adding it to the entire soup, in case u don't like it :-)

I kept thinking it needed beer. I don't drink the stuff - ever, but I like
to cook with it from time to time. Sherry's good, too.

Carol
--
Coming at you live, from beautiful Lake Woebegon

A little birdie told me that sf said:

I've never tried a 15 bean "mix" with anything other than beans in it,
but I love it!! If you're worried about flavor, just remember to salt
your soup at the end. If it tastes bland, add a little more salt.

If you're still worried, start off by adding a can of chicken broth or
using a ham hock/bone... I'd just throw it in at the beginning and
fish out the bone at the end. I also think adding a small can of
stewed tomato is good (NO chili powder for me though - that's not a
flavor I want in soup), onion and garlic are a must, bay only if you
wish, lemon will change the flavor too, but not as much as chili
powder.

Here's what I think is absolutely necessary: onion, garlic and salt.
The rest is superfluous.

I didn't remember to add salt and pepper, as the directions instructed. It
would have made all the difference in the world. We'll salt and pepper the
final bowl of it when we fight over it tomorrow.

Carol
--
Coming at you live, from beautiful Lake Woebegon

Throw away that seasoning packet, it's awful. Get a couple of smoked hocks
and cook them with the soup along with a diced large onion. It's absolutely
heaven.

"Damsel in dis Dress" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Neither Crash nor I have ever tried it, but we bought a bag of the dried
beans with powdered ham stuff last night. You add canned tomatoes, chili
powder, lemon juice, onions and garlic. Is this stuff good as-is, or
should we be adding some other seasonings (I assume that a bay leaf is in
order)? This is a 20-ounce bag. We'd better like this stuff!

<sarcasm> I know, I know. How can I buy a whole bag of soup mix when I
don't know whether or not I'll like it? </sarcasm> Thank you in advance,
Sheryl, for your concern.

Thanks,
Carol
--
Coming at you live, from beautiful Lake Woebegon

Damsel in dis Dress said:

A little birdie told me that "Richard Green" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Try a tablespoon or two of dry sherry added before serving. (Try a
bit ön the side"before adding it to the entire soup, in case u don't
like it :-)

I kept thinking it needed beer. I don't drink the stuff - ever, but
I like to cook with it from time to time. Sherry's good, too.

Carol

Beer certainly wouldn't hurt. And of course I forgot to mention onion,
garlic (and celery if you have it) - those are sort of a 'given'. Maybe
even carrots as Sheldon suggested. Bay leaf (to me) in bean soup is also a
'given'. Black pepper, of course. Penzey's tellicherry blend is nice. And
yes, as sf suggested, salt at the end. I prefer to salt each serving to
taste rather than dumping salt into the entire pot. I love the idea of
grated cheese on this sort of bean soup. I do that with my 5 Bean. But I
also like hot sauce or cayenne pepper in bean soup, too. Again, to taste in
each serving.

Jill

In article <[email hidden]>,

Quoted message said:

Neither Crash nor I have ever tried it, but we bought a bag of the dried
beans with powdered ham stuff last night. You add canned tomatoes, chili
powder, lemon juice, onions and garlic. Is this stuff good as-is, or
should we be adding some other seasonings (I assume that a bay leaf is in
order)? This is a 20-ounce bag. We'd better like this stuff!
Thanks,
Carol

Powdered ham stuff? Eeeewww. Where's the hambone from that ginormous
ham you had? I'd use that in there, too. The soup is good -- I think
there's been a contest to see how many dried legumes can be used -- when
I first saw those things they were 7-bean soup, then 9-bean soup, then
12-bean soup -- like, "Aha! My chance to get rid of these dried
legumes!" <grin> Personally, I'm inclined to navy bean soup -- haven't
made split pea in eons. What I really like are lentils but Rob doesn't
go for those. If there are too many black beans in the mix, the soup
can look kind of grim. Sure, a bayleaf would be nice. As always,
correct the seasoning before serving (I think that means salt and pepper
to taste. :-) (Don't forget the Gas-X)
--
-Barb, <http://www.jamlady.eboard.com> Cam Ranh Bay food added 4-8-05.
Sam I Am! updated 4-9-05.
"I read recipes the way I read science fiction: I get to the end and
say,'Well, that's not going to happen.'" - Comedian Rita Rudner,
performance at New York, New York, January 10, 2005.

"Damsel in dis Dress" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

A little birdie told me that "Richard Green" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Try a tablespoon or two of dry sherry added before serving. (Try a bit ön
the side"before adding it to the entire soup, in case u don't like it :-)

I kept thinking it needed beer. I don't drink the stuff - ever, but I
like
to cook with it from time to time. Sherry's good, too.

Carol
--
Coming at you live, from beautiful Lake Woebegon

Well, the sherry idea is to add some acid to the mix, I think the Italians
call it a "digestivo' or some such thing. Any way, try the sherry, or some
balsamic and a bit of sugar, or some lime/lemon, whatever. It just gives a
bean/lentil soup or stew a zest it can't otherwise get, no matter what other
ingredients you add.
Richard.
"Damsel in dis Dress" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Neither Crash nor I have ever tried it, but we bought a bag of the dried
beans with powdered ham stuff last night. You add canned tomatoes, chili
powder, lemon juice, onions and garlic. Is this stuff good as-is, or
should we be adding some other seasonings (I assume that a bay leaf is in
order)? This is a 20-ounce bag. We'd better like this stuff!

<sarcasm> I know, I know. How can I buy a whole bag of soup mix when I
don't know whether or not I'll like it? </sarcasm> Thank you in advance,
Sheryl, for your concern.

Thanks,
Carol
--
Coming at you live, from beautiful Lake Woebegon

Damsel in dis Dress said:

Neither Crash nor I have ever tried it, but we bought a bag of the dried
beans with powdered ham stuff last night. You add canned tomatoes, chili
powder, lemon juice, onions and garlic. Is this stuff good as-is, or
should we be adding some other seasonings (I assume that a bay leaf is in
order)? This is a 20-ounce bag. We'd better like this stuff!

carol, any sort of smoked pork will go great with the beans. bacon, smoked
ham hocks and if you can get a country ham bone you'll be in heaven! onions
also work really well. i never use any of the packet thingies that come in
the bean packaging. they just cheapen the taste imo. i was lucky enough to
cook a country ham last saturday and saved the bones for beans. i now have
about a gallon of the best pinto beans i've ever made thanks to that ham
bone!

"Damsel in dis Dress" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Neither Crash nor I have ever tried it, but we bought a bag of the dried
beans with powdered ham stuff last night. You add canned tomatoes, chili
powder, lemon juice, onions and garlic. Is this stuff good as-is, or
should we be adding some other seasonings (I assume that a bay leaf is in
order)? This is a 20-ounce bag. We'd better like this stuff!

<sarcasm> I know, I know. How can I buy a whole bag of soup mix when I
don't know whether or not I'll like it? </sarcasm> Thank you in advance,
Sheryl, for your concern.

Thanks,
Carol

I like the stuff but like all mixes its just a mix. The flavoring is up to
you. The flavor Packet is OK but IIRC is salty.

Here is their website -

http://www.hambeens.com/

the recipe calls for ham hocks. They are responsible for a lot of the
flavor.

Dimitri

A little birdie told me that 'GoombaP said:

Throw away that seasoning packet, it's awful. Get a couple of smoked hocks
and cook them with the soup along with a diced large onion. It's absolutely
heaven.

We have yet to find even a solitary ham hock in this town. If/when we do
find some, I'm going to stock up.

We're also planning on buying some of Penzey's broth stuff.

Carol
--
Coming at you live, from beautiful Lake Woebegon

A little birdie told me that 'jmcquown said:

Beer certainly wouldn't hurt. And of course I forgot to mention onion,
garlic (and celery if you have it) - those are sort of a 'given'. Maybe
even carrots as Sheldon suggested. Bay leaf (to me) in bean soup is also a
'given'. Black pepper, of course. Penzey's tellicherry blend is nice. And
yes, as sf suggested, salt at the end. I prefer to salt each serving to
taste rather than dumping salt into the entire pot. I love the idea of
grated cheese on this sort of bean soup. I do that with my 5 Bean. But I
also like hot sauce or cayenne pepper in bean soup, too. Again, to taste in
each serving.

The first add-in that I thought of (besides bay leaves) was carrots. But I
really wanted to try the original deal (as much as possible, given the
ingredients we had on hand) before doctoring it *too* much.

The next time I make this soup, I'm going to leave the chili powder out,
and find another spin to put on it. It was very good, but it tasted too
much like chili. I'd like to have a soup that has its own flavor.

Carol
--
Coming at you live, from beautiful Lake Woebegon