Bean Soup with Leeks - Food That Is A Gas

This is a simple recipe. It's for those who have a little time on their hands.

WHAT YOU NEED:

One package of 13 or 15 bean dried beans

Three carrots

One large onion

Three leeks

1/4 teaspoon of black pepper

1/2 teaspoon of salt

Enough water to cook the beans

A stove, electric, wood or gas

First, go out and buy a package of dry beans. Try the 13 bean or 15 bean packages. They offer a lot of variety and flavor. Wash the beans thoroughly and let them soak in water overnight. You should have about three inches of water above the dry beans because they swell as they absorb water.

The next morning, drain out the water. Be sure to remove any dirt, etc. Rinse again.

Pour into your large pot enough water to cover about three inches above the soaked beans.

Place the pot of beans on your stove. Start heat at high. When the beans start to boil, cut the thermostat back to about medium. Grate three carrots and add to your beans. Add one half pound of cubed ham. For those who desire not to have ham, add one half pound of turkey ham.

Cover-let cook for three hours. Check the mix to make sure that the heat is not too high. That is, you don't want a rapid boil. You just want the beans to cook slowly. Sometimes, if the heat is too high, the whole thing will boil over putting foam onto you stove. So please check the beans to ensure that that are not overflowing.

Check to see if the beans are cooked. You may remove a small amount of the beans with a spoon, place in a saucer and then use another spoon to taste.

If the beans are almost done or completely done, add the black pepper, salt,onion and the leeks. Remove the paper like covering of the onion with a knife and cut the onion into small peices. For the preparation of the leeks, use only that part of the leek that is white, cut off the stalk, peel off the first layer and wash. Cut the leeks into 1/4 inch pieces.

Cover, let cook for one more hour. Check you water lever, you may have to add more water to the beans. If you're not careful, the beans can burn. Additionally, cut back the thermostate to low. Let the beans simmer.

After one hour, check the beans for flavor and taste. If done, take about one cup of beans and puree them in a blender. Add the beans back to the others. Turn your stove off-you are done!

Gene Smith is an E-Zine writer from West Virginia. He has written several book and numerous songs. He has prepared organic matter for more than fifty years.
He lives near Charles Town. Check out http://www.booksmusiccoffeeconfusion.com for more information on G.M.

(c) 2006 Gene Smith