Bean Soup + Cornbread

My husband and I love beans in any variety and any way they are prepared! We started eating them when we were in college because they were affordable, easy to make, and filling! Turns out, they are also very good for you due to their high protein, low fat, and high fiber qualities.

Here’s my recipe:

• 1 package dry beans (pinto, red, great northern, black, black-eyed peas, navy)

• 2-3 quarts chicken stock, homemade or store bought, use more or less depending on how ‘soupy’ you want the beans to be

• 2 slices of chopped bacon

• ⅓ cup of chopped onions

• ⅓ cup diced celery

• ⅓ cup chopped carrots

• ¼ teaspoon dried thyme

• Salt and pepper to taste

1. The night before you want to eat the beans dump them into a container with a lid and cover with water. Let the beans soak overnight.

2. The next morning, drain and rinse the beans, then place them in a crockpot with the stock.

3. In a skillet cook the bacon for a few minutes until it starts to brown, add the onions, celery, and carrots and continue cooking about 5 minutes more.

4. Add everything in the skillet to the crockpot. Add the thyme.

5. Cook on low for up to 8 hours. Serve over cooked rice with a side of cornbread.

Other ideas for bean soup

• If you want to bulk up the health benefits you can add additional vegetables, like kale or fresh spinach.

• If you want more meat you can use chopped ham, a ham hock, or chopped cooked chicken.

• When I make red beans I add sliced smoked sausage. When I make black beans I add chopped green chilies and a can of Rotel tomatoes.

Cornbread

• 1 cup of cornmeal

• 1 cup of flour

• 1 tablespoon baking powder

• ¼ cup sugar

• 1 cup of milk, whole or other

• 2 beaten eggs

• 4 tablespoons melted butter

• ¼ cup of honey

1. Mix everything together and pour into well greased cast iron skillet.

2. Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven until golden brown, about 20-25 minutes.

Other ideas for cornbread

You can add any of the following to your cornbread to perk it up: 2 tablespoons of chopped jalapeños, 4 slices of cooked crumbled bacon, 1 cup grated sharp cheddar. Add a few of these or add them all.