9-BEAN SOUP

9-BEAN SOUP


1 lb. diced cooked ham
1 large onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 large can (approximately 28-oz.) diced tomatoes
1 (4-oz.) can green chiles
1 lb. dried bean mixture with the following
Navy beans
Pinto beans
Lima beans
Green split pea
Lentils
Black-eyed peas
Great northern beans
Garbanzo beans
Red beans
Salt and pepper


Rinse dried beans, well, cover with water and soak for about 8 hours or overnight.

Drain beans in a colander, rinse and combine with all other ingredients plus 5 cups water in a 4-qt. or equivalent Dutch oven or pot.

Cook on low heat for 1 to 2 hours, until beans are soft.

The extra bean mixture can be stored and used at another time or place in decorative jar with the recipe attached as a gift.