Ingredients
2
cups mixed dried beans (1/3 cup each yellow split peas, green split peas, lima beans, pinto beans, kidney beans and great northern beans)
1/4
cup dried minced onion
2
teaspoons chicken bouillon granules
1/4
teaspoon ground cumin
1/4
teaspoon garlic powder
8
cups water
Santa’s Soup Mix
2
medium carrots, chopped (1 cup)
2
medium stalks celery, chopped (1 cup)
2
lb smoked ham shanks
Preparation
To make Santa’s Soup Mix: In 1-pint glass jar, layer dried beans, dried onion, chicken bouillon, cumin and garlic powder. Store tightly covered at room temperature up to 2 months. Give with gift card that includes Santa’s Soup recipe.
To make Santa’s Soup: In 4-quart Dutch oven, heat water and Santa’s Soup Mix to boiling. Boil 2 minutes; remove from heat. Cover; let stand 1 hour. Stir in carrots and celery. Add ham shanks. Heat to boiling; reduce heat. Cover; simmer about 2 hours or until beans are tender. Skim fat if necessary. Remove ham shanks; remove ham from bone. Trim excess fat from ham. Cut into 1/2-inch pieces. Stir ham into soup; heat until hot.
