Mary Janes Bean Pot Soup Recipes

MARY JANE'S BEAN POT SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat; saute the onion, celery, garlic, jalapenos, and carrots for about 3 minutes.
• Add in the 10 cups water, the soaked and drained beans, ham bone (or sausage) tomatoes, ginger, salt and pepper.
• Bring mixture to a boil over high heat; lower heat, and simmer, uncovered, until the beans are tender, 2 1/2 to 3 hours.
• *Soup can be made up to 4 days in advance and refrigerated; it can be frozen for up to 2 months.
• To serve, reheat and add water or stock if it has become too thick.

PUMPKIN BLACK BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• Pour 2 cans of the black beans into a food processor or blender, along with the can of tomatoes. Puree until smooth. Set aside.
• Melt butter in a soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, and season with salt and pepper. Cook and stir until the onion is softened. Stir in the bean puree, remaining can of beans, beef broth, pumpkin puree, and sherry vinegar. Mix until well blended, then simmer for about 25 minutes, or until thick enough to coat the back of a metal spoon. Stir in the ham, and heat through before serving.

CREAMY WHITE BEAN AND LEEK POT PIE

Steps:

• For the stew: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium. Add the leeks to the pot and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, for 5 to 6 minutes, or until the leeks start to soften and turn golden brown. Stir in the garlic, sage and thyme and cook for 1 minute.
• Stir in the beans then sprinkle over the flour and mix well to combine. Slowly pour in the broth, turn the heat up to medium-high and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes, or until thickened and the leeks are very tender. Add the frozen peas, sour cream and lemon juice to taste. Set aside to cool slightly.
• While the stew cools, make the buttermilk biscuits: Whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt and garlic powder in a large bowl. Add in the butter and cut or snap it into the flour until the pieces of butter are about the size of a pea. Stir in the grated cheese and make a well in the center. Pour in the buttermilk and gently mix until a shaggy dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and bring the dough together. Press it out into a 2-centimeter (1-inch) thick rectangle, then fold it over onto itself. Press and fold the dough two more times, then flatten again to 2 centimeters (1 inch) thick. Trim any wonky edges and cut the dough into 8 rough squares.
• If serving immediately, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F/200 degrees C. Transfer all or a portion of the stew to a casserole dish and top with all or a portion of the biscuits. Brush the biscuits with the melted butter and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Allow the pot pie to cool slightly before serving.

MARY JANE'S BEAN POT SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large stockpot set over medium heat; sauté the onion, celery, garlic, jalapeños, and carrots for about 3 minutes. Add the 10 cups water, the soaked and drained beans, ham, tomatoes, ginger, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, decrease the heat, and simmer, uncovered, until the beans are tender, 2 1/2 to 3 hours.
• The soup can be made up to 4 days in advance and refrigerated. It can also be frozen for up to 2 months. To serve, reheat and add water or stock if it has become too thick.
• My dad sold ham bones for soups at his Honeybee store, so it is worth asking for bones at your local ham store.