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Pair this hearty soup with a fresh pan of hot Skillet Cornbread and you've got a meal that guests will shout, "Yeehaw, pass me some more!" This recipe was created by my husband, Don. From the long and unusual ingredient list, it is suspect that he kept adding to the pot until it was "just right"!

Spicy Western Bean Soup

1 pound dried pinto beans

Approximately 2 pounds smoked ham hocks

Water

1 large onion, chopped

1/4 cup brown sugar, packed

1/4 cup molasses

1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce

1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce

2 tablespoons tomato chili sauce

1 to 2 pickled hot peppers, plus 1 tablespoon of juice

2 teaspoons Tabasco brand hot sauce

1 teaspoon dried basil leaves

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 large bay leaf

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

2 (14.8-ounce) cans diced tomatoes

2 tablespoons lemon juice

2 teaspoons kosher or coarse salt - or to taste

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1. The night before: Sort through beans, discarding rocks and bad beans. Rinse off thoroughly and drain. Place beans in large cooking pot and fill with water to about 2-inches above beans. Cover and allow to soak overnight. (See Cooking Tip.)
2. The next day: Drain water from soaked beans, then add enough fresh water to cover beans. Add the ham hocks and bring to a boil, skimming foam from the water's surface as it rises and discard.
3. Add the chopped onion and simmer, covered, for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
4. Add the remaining ingredients and continue simmering for another 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Remove cover during the last half hour of cooking to reduce and thicken broth.

Makes 15 servings.

Cooking Tip: Instead of soaking the beans overnight (preferred method), place beans in water, bring to a boil and cook, uncovered for 3 minutes. Turn off heat, cover pot and allow beans to soak for 1 hour. Drain water and continue with recipe.

Nutrition Facts (per serving): 318.1 calories; 38% calories from fat; 13.2g total fat; 41.1mg cholesterol; 692.2mg sodium; 876.8mg potassium; 32.0g carbohydrates; 5.7g fiber; 9.7g sugar; 26.3g net carbs; 17.8g protein.

Copyright Hope Pryor, please see Terms of Use.

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