How to Make Senate Bean Soup Mix
6 of 10 in Series: The Essentials of Inexpensive Christmas Gifts from Your Kitchen
Senate Bean Soup Mix is a great Christmas gift for a busy friend or for someone who doesn’t cook much. This convenient bean soup mix will create a hot and hearty meal for some cold winter day. Just add water and a bit of ham, if desired, cook, and enjoy!
This recipe is derived from a recipe that has been on the U.S. Senate dining room menu for well over half a century. Instant mashed potato buds set it apart from other bean soup recipes.
U.S. Senate Bean Soup Mix
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Yield: Two 2 f1/2-cup packets
1 pound dried white beans (preferably navy beans)
1 1/2 cups dried instant potato buds
3/4 cup dried minced onion
6 tablespoons dried celery
3 tablespoons dried chives
1 tablespoon dried parsley
4 packets (4 grams each) jambon seasoning (Goya brand recommended)
2 teaspoons salt
3/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Jambon seasoning is ham flavor seasoning. Check the Spanish section of your supermarket.
Pick over the beans to remove any pebbles or other un-beanlike objects.
Thoroughly combine the beans and potato buds in a medium bowl or on wax paper. Divide equally in half. Put in two plastic bags or directly into a gift container.
Thoroughly combine the onion, celery, chives, and parsley in a small bowl or on wax paper, tossing well to distribute the ingredients. Divide in half and place one-half in each packet of the bean mix.
Thoroughly combine the jambon seasoning, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a small bowl or on wax paper. Divide in half. Add one-half to each half of the bean mixture.
Copy the preparation label below, and attach to the bag or gift container.
U.S. Senate Bean Soup Mix
Cooking time: l hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes
Yield: Five 1-cup servings
1 packet U.S. Senate Bean Soup Mix
6 cups water (or chicken broth) or more if needed
1 cup chopped baked ham (optional)
Combine the mix and water in a large saucepan. Boil for 2 minutes. Cover and turn off the heat for 1 hour. Bring back to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the ham, if desired. Partially cover and cook until the beans are tender, about 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes. Stir occasionally. Adjust the seasoning, if desired.
