This was a fun soup to make with all of the different beans and peas (13 different kinds – see Soup Mix) I made up the soup mix and gave the beans to family and friends with this recipe. Now you can buy soup mixes already made up but I still like to make up my own.
French Market Soup
- 2 cups of soup mix
- 3 quarts water
- 1 ham hock
- 1 bouquet garni bag (parsley, thyme, bay leaf)
- 1 quart tomatoes, canned
- 2 cups onion, chopped
- 2 cups celery, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb. smoked sausage, sliced
- 2 boneless chicken breasts, cut into cubes
Wash and drain the beans and peas. Combine next 4 ingredients with the beans and simmer covered for 3 hours.
Add next 4 ingredients and simmer, uncovered, for 1-1/2 hours, or until creamy.
Finally add sausage and chicken and simmer 40 minutes. This soup is best made the day before where all of the flavors have a chance to blend well.
If you have a big vegetable garden it is fun to provide the bouquet garni, along with a quart of canned tomatoes, in addition to the beans and peas. This was how I got started. Amazing how many different recipes you can use to share the bounty of your garden!
Serves 10 to 12
Recipe by cooking with aunt juju http://cookingwithauntjuju.com/2011/12/12/french-market-soup/