Soup beans and Happy Birthday DLP!

Soup beans are so simple and economical.  It's amazing tho' how delicious something as simple as beans can be if you know how to prepare them.  I try to make a pot of beans at least once a month.  If I have time I like to make a skillet of cornbread with them also.  They are delicious alone or as a wonderful side dish to catfish (my favorite), or whatever you're making. For this recipe I use the slow cooker, but you can also make them on top the stove.  The slow cooker allows you to just "set it and forget it" which is great for me.

DLP likes to eat them with green onions.  Spoon in one hand, onion in the other.  It really does taste good together.

SOUP BEANS

1 lb. dry pinto beans

1 t. chili powder

1/2 t. dried oregano

1/2 pound ham hocks

2 c. water

2 c. chicken broth

1 large onion, chopped
*soup bean seasoning to taste

Wash the beans and soak them overnight in cold water.  Drain them and place in crock pot.  Stir in chili powder.  Add ham hock and then add water and chicken broth.  Add onions with beans and meat.  Stir in some special seasoning to your taste and then cook on high until very tender (6-8 hours). I make these the first day and then refrigerate them until the next day so flavors have all loved on one another a good long time thus resulting in a crazy delicious soup+bean marriage.  Yum! 

*soup bean seasoning~
1/2 c. salt
1/8 c. black pepper
1/8 c. garlic powder
mix and store in container.