Country Kitchen Calico Bean Soup Recipes

CALICO SOUP MIX

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine beans; divide into six batches (2 cups each). Store in airtight containers. Yield: 6 batches (12 cups total)., To prepare soup: Place one batch of bean mix in a Dutch oven or soup kettle; add water to cover by 2 in. Bring to a boil; boil for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat; cover and let stand for 1 hour. , Drain. Add 2-1/4 qts. water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1-1/2 to 2 hours or until beans are tender. Add ham, tomatoes, onion, green pepper, garlic and seasonings; return to boil. Reduce heat; simmer for 45-50 minutes.

CALICO BEANS

Steps:

• Position an oven rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees F.
• Put the bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until crispy, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon to a paper-towel lined plate. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of the bacon fat from the skillet. Add the onion and ground beef and cook, breaking up the beef, until the onion is softened and the beef is crumbled and fully cooked, about 5 minutes. If necessary, drain any excess moisture released from the meat. Add the cooked bacon, kidney beans, navy beans, pork and beans, ketchup, brown sugar, dry mustard, vinegar and salt. Stir together and then transfer to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
• Bake until bubbling and caramelized on top, 35 to 40 minutes.

TUSCAN VEGETABLE SOUP

Steps:

• In a small bowl mash half of the beans with a masher or the back of a spoon, and set aside.
• Heat the oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion, carrots, celery, zucchini, garlic, thyme, sage, 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper, and cook stirring occasionally until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes.
• Add the broth and tomatoes with the juice and bring to a boil. Add the mashed and whole beans and the spinach leaves and cook until the spinach is wilted, about 3 minutes more.
• Serve topped with Parmesan, if desired.

CALICO BEAN SOUP RECIPE FROM MIX

Steps:

• If desired, omit ham and substitute beef, chicken, or vegetable stock for the cooking water.
• Wash beans thoroughly.
• Place in a large kettle, cover with water and soak overnight.
• (An alternate method is to bring beans and water to a boil,remove from heat, and cover and let stand for 1 hour.) Next drain beans and add 2 quarts of new water and ham or ham hock (or use broth if omitting ham).
• Simmer slowly for 2-1/2 to 3 hours.
• Then add spice packet, onion, tomatoes (undrained), lemon juice and salt to taste (spice packet contains no salt).
• Simmer another 30 minutes or until beans are tender.
• Take ham from soup.
• Remove any bits of ham from bone and return to soup.
• If using boneless ham, cut into bite-size pieces and return to soup.
• Serve.