World's Best Bean Soup Mix

Dry mix:
1 pound navy beans
1 pound great northern beans
1 pound pinto beans
1 pound red beans
1 pound yellow split peas
1 pound green split peas
1 pound black eyed peas
1 pound dried red lentils
1 pound dried baby lima beans
1 pound pearl barley

Mix well and store in an airtight container.

To Make Soup

2 cups of bean mix soaked overnight in cold water then drained.
2 quarts fresh water
1 ham hock
1-1/4 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 large onion, chopped
3 ribs of celery sliced
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
16 ounces can tomatoes
1 clove garlic, minced
3 tablespoons lemon juice

Rinse beans. Soak overnight in cold water to cover. In morning, drain, mix with fresh water, ham hock, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, cover and simmer until beans are tender, about 1 1/2 hours. Add remaining ingredients; simmer 30 minutes. Remove ham hock. serve piping hot with thick slices of crusty bread.

NOTE: You can also use beef bones instead of the ham hock for a different type of flavour.

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