Sopa Buena

Total Time: 2 hrs 20 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 2 hrs

Ingredients

• 1 (20 ounce) bag 15 bean soup mix (not using the seasoning packet that is sometimes included in these)
• 1 tablespoon light olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 large garlic cloves, crushed and chopped
• 3 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons crushed chipotle chili pepper flakes (flakes not powder)
• 2 quarts water (8 cups)
• 1 lb ham steak, chopped into bite size chunks (i like cook's brand)
• 1 (28 ounce) can whole tomatoes with juice, undrained
• 1 (10 ounce) can ro-tel tomatoes, undrained (use ro-tel original)
• 1 1/2 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 1 -2 tablespoon sour cream (optional)

Recipe

• 1 place your beans in a big bowl and cover with water 2 or 3 inches above them and soak overnight or for at least 8 hours.
• 2 drain the beans and set them aside in a collander.
• 3 in a large soup pot, heat the olive oil on medium high heat.
• 4 saute the onions and garlic with the lemon juice and crushed chipotle peppers until the onion is soft. (about 2 minutes).
• 5 add the beans and water then stir.
• 6 bring to a boil, add the ham, then reduce heat to a medium simmer.
• 7 simmer for 1 hour, uncovered.
• 8 add the tomatoes with their juice and break them up a little in the soup with a spoon.
• 9 add the ro-tel with its juice and the brown sugar. stir, then turn heat down to a low simmer, uncovered, for 1 more hour or until beans are al dente to your taste.
• 10 serve with sour cream (optional).