Soup buffet

We had family over for lunch on 12/31 and decided to have a soup buffet, plus pretzel thins with cheese spread. I think everyone liked it, except maybe the 7 year old who declares he hates soup!

Menu:

Meatball stew (left) see recipe 3/13/09 this blog

Corn chowder (right front) recipe today

Bean soup (right back) recipe today

Just the thing for a cold winter day. Enjoy! Eat hardy!

Bean Soup (using Randall's beans)

Quick and easy. Randall's beans come in a big glass jar, about 48 oz.

Picture is a full batch in a 3 1/2 qt pan. For the 2 of us,

Michael often makes up a half batch.

Ingredients:

1 - 48 oz. can Randall's brand mixed beans or northern beans

2 onions, chopped, sauteed in 2 capful wine (or in 2 tsp. oil)

6 c. water

2 tsp. "Liquid Smoke"

1 or 2 bay leaf

Sprinkle of garlic powder

Salt and pepper to taste

In a large pan (at least 3 1/2 quart pan for the full batch), saute the onion, then add all the other ingredients. Cook to desired consistency, approximately 25 minutes, with lid on, vented.