15 Bean Soup

This soup is is so hearty, but it's not just your average 15 Bean Soup! I have a secret ingredient that kicks it way up! It's something most people usually throw out but it adds SO much flavor to this soup...and others.

-3/4 cup barley

-1 pkg 15 bean mix- throw out the flavor pack, you won't need it!

-1 large onion, chopped

-2 stalks of celery, chopped

-2 bay leaves

-1/4 t rosemary

-several twists of fresh ground black pepper

-water

-12 to 16 oz sliced polish sausage (optional)

-2 cups of leftover ham broth*

(*The ham broth is the secret! When you cook hams for the holidays, ALWAYS keep your broth!)

Cover and soak your beans and barley overnight in water with 2 T lemon juice. Drain, rinse, and drain again.

Dump them in large soup pot with 4 quarts of water, 2 cups ham broth, onions, celery, pepper, bay leaves, and any other seasonings that you might like.(The liquid will cook down.) Simmer, covered, for approx. 2 hours and add sliced polish sausage if desired and simmer another 30 minutes or so, until beans are tender.
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This post is linked to The Ultimate Beans and Rice Recipe List