Feb 08 2015
Looks like I am not alone, there was a lot of comfort food cooked by members today!
I was tired out yesterday after getting my smoker cleaned up and my new Savannah Stoker controller installed. I was glad though I went ahead and smoked the meat for my bean soup today. It made for a lazy day for me.
My wife did her usual today, went to church and then out to lunch with friends after. Today though several of the ladies went to a play this afternoon and then out to eat. Since my wife does not like beans it was a great time to make myself a pot of bean soup.
I like to use some of the Hurst 15 bean soup mix once in a while for some great soup. This time I used the recipe on the package, changing just a little. I like Rotel tomatoes and use Cajun seasoning instead of the chili powder. I diced up the jowl bacon and used some of the fattier pieces to brown up a little with the onions and garlic. I then added the rest of the bacon and the sliced smoked sausage, stirred to heat through then added water to deglaze the pan. I brought all to a boil then down to simmer for 2 hours.
While that was cooking I baked some cornbread. I used my favorite mix, Miracle Maize Sweet and baked it in my old Wapak skillet. I added some brown sugar topping for something different. I got the idea from a BBQ show. It was at a joint down south and all there was raving about the cornbread with the brown sugar. I thought southerners didn’t like sweet cornbread; maybe there was all Yankees eating there! Mine didn’t look as good as theirs did; I think they must have swirled it in with the batter some before baking. I didn’t remember them doing that but will try it the next time.
I had the cornbread done and after the beans had simmered two hours I added in the tomatoes, Cajun seasoning and lemon juice then cooked another half hour. I don’t usually add in the flavor packet but did this time and was good.
I had mine with some chopped onions and hot sauce over and a large piece of the cornbread with a little butter! The soup was great and I liked the brown sugar cornbread, it went good with the heat. I had a good Black Butte Porter to wash all down.
Smokin Don
Recipe:
Hurst 15 bean soup
From the package
20 oz. 15 bean soup
1 cup chopped onion
1 15 oz. can diced tomatoes, I like Rotel
1 teaspoon chili powder, I like Cajun seasoning, a heaping tsp.
Juice of one lemon
2 cloves garlic minced
1 pound smoked meat of choice
Cover beans with water well and soak overnight.
If you need to brown any meat, sauté in some oil with the onions and brown.
Drain and rinse the beans adding to the pot with 8 cups of water. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 1 ½ to 2 hours.
After it has simmered add the rest of the ingredients and simmer another 30 minutes. Good served with some cornbread on the side.
