Caroline's Saucy Kitchen

You can find bags of mixed beans in any grocery store, so use whichever variety you prefer.

Ingredients:

• 16 ounces bag of mixed beans
• 8 ounces of ham, diced
• 1 onion diced
• 2 cups chopped tomatoes
• Juice of 1 lemon (2 tablespoons)
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 quarts (96 ounces) of chicken broth or vegetable broth

Preparation Method:

1. Place rinsed beans into a large pot with 3 quarts of chicken or vegetable broth. Bring the mixture to a rapid boil.
2. Add all the ingredients except for the ham.
3. Reduce the heat and cover, and continue cooking for 60 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Add the chopped ham and continue to simmer for another 60 minutes or until the beans are soft.
5. If your beans come with a packet of seasoning, add as much as you want. They can be very salty, so check how the soup tastes before adding it all.
6. Season with salt and pepper before serving.