(3 pack) Hurst's HamBeens 15 Bean Soup, 20 oz

These and the crock pot mean a pot of great beans to last several meals. After buying numerous bags over the years, I can say the contents have been reliably clean and free of unsightly damage. The flavoring pack is a matter of personal taste, I don't use it but opt to cook with a low sodium chicken broth. Adding any leftover meat adds more protein and flavor. The beans and legumes by themselves are flavorful and can be “overcooked” to make a refried bean-like mush… great for adding to burritos, similar to refried beans but without the extra fat and with more dynamic flavor.

Never been disappointed!! I've always added things to the supplied beans and seasoning, so I don't really know what "just" the supplied items taste like... here is the way I prepare it: 2 packages of ham flavored beans 1-2 yellow onions (diced very small) Both packets of the provided spice (1 - per bag) 1 cup packed brown sugar (more or less to taste) 1 Tsp crushed red pepper flakes (more or less to taste) 1/2 Tsp of garlic powder 1 Tsp Onion powder (can be skipped) 2 Tsp black pepper 1 Tsp salt 1 Tsp paprika (plain or smokey) ------------- One of the following: 1-lb of bacon (cut up small, and fried on medium heat until the fat renders). Use both the bacon AND the FAT!! or... 1-lb of ham cut medium, or more if you like. (leftover spiral cut or Christmas ham, perhaps) (If you use the ham, add 2 Tbsp's of bacon fat of you have it) Directions: - Rinse the beans, and then cover with 4" of water and soak them for at least 8 hours. - Drain the beans, and then fill with water to cover the beans by about 1/2" - Add the onions, spices, and meat of choice. - Bring to boil, and reduce to a fast simmer for 90 minutes, stirring occasionally. - Taste broth, and adjust seasoning to your taste - Reduce to low simmer and cook for another 4-6 hours until the beans make their own thickened bean broth (you can add 2 Tbsp's of corn starch if you like) This should be a thick soup... not watery!!! (more like the thickness of a "Bean Stew")