Sopa Buena

Name: Sopa Buena
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 2 h
Total time: 2 h 20 min
Yield: 1 large pot soup, 8-12 serving(s)
Ingredients: 1 (20 ounce) bag 15 bean soup mix (Not using the seasoning packet that is sometimes included in these); 1 tablespoon light olive oil; 1 large white onion, chopped; 2 large garlic cloves, crushed and chopped; 3 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice; 2 teaspoons crushed chipotle chili pepper flakes (flakes not powder); 2 quarts water (8 cups); 1 lb ham steak, chopped into bite size chunks (I like Cook's brand); 1 (28 ounce) can whole tomatoes with juice, undrained; 1 (10 ounce) can Ro-Tel tomatoes, undrained (use Ro-tel original); 1 1/2 tablespoons light brown sugar; 1 -2 tablespoon sour cream (optional)

Submitted by ChefLee

"I love bean soup with ham and I thought I would give it a little kick!! Hopefully you can find the crushed chipotle flakes, they give it a smokey flavor that you can't get with just red pepper flakes. I have seen them in many stores such as Wal-Mart supercenter, Whole Foods, and more. Hope you like it!! (Prep time does not include overnight soaking of the beans)"

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photo by ChefLee

Ready In:: 2hrs 20mins
Ingredients:: 12
Yields:: 1 large pot soup
Serves:: 8-12

ingredients

1 (20 ounce) bag 15 bean soup mix (Not using the seasoning packet that is sometimes included in these)
1 tablespoon light olive oil
1 large white onion, chopped
2 large garlic cloves, crushed and chopped
3 ¹⁄₂ tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons crushed chipotle chili pepper flakes (flakes not powder)
2 quarts water (8 cups)
1 lb ham steak, chopped into bite size chunks (I like Cook's brand)
1 (28 ounce) can whole tomatoes with juice, undrained
1 (10 ounce) can Ro-Tel tomatoes, undrained (use Ro-tel original)
1 ¹⁄₂ tablespoons light brown sugar
1 -2 tablespoon sour cream (optional)

directions

Place your beans in a big bowl and cover with water 2 or 3 inches above them and soak overnight or for at least 8 hours.
Drain the beans and set them aside in a collander.
In a large soup pot, heat the olive oil on medium high heat.
Saute the onions and garlic with the lemon juice and crushed chipotle peppers until the onion is soft. (about 2 minutes).
Add the beans and water then stir.
Bring to a boil, add the ham, then reduce heat to a medium simmer.
Simmer for 1 hour, uncovered.
Add the tomatoes with their juice and break them up a little in the soup with a spoon.
Add the Ro-tel with its juice and the brown sugar. Stir, then turn heat down to a low simmer, uncovered, for 1 more hour or until beans are al dente to your taste.
Serve with sour cream (optional).