VAL'S RED BEAN SOUP; Fortuna-AZ

It was c.o.l.d. here, this morning; and I was hungering for Jamaican Red Bean Soup to warm us up (physically, sense-wise, and weather boost) - but, I lost my recipe in the move from house to RV 2 years ago 😒

Looks are deceiving … it may be sunny here in AZ, but the wind factor makes the atmosphere chilling (we had both heaters running, all day long); and sand dust continually stirred up (which is not good for our lung issues) 😳

Wind gusts were rocking Independence pretty good at times 😳

I found a recipe online … but it's not what I was looking for; so, I improvised by using a bit of that recipe - and adding a few things of my own 😉

I put everything into my slow cooker crockpot, which freed up a lot of Day to enjoy my husband's company 🥰 He was watching me - and I reveled in my wifery (is that even an actual word?? 🤔); I was feeling the cozy home vibes & even feeling a bit powerful in my domesticated femininity 😘

I have allergic reactions to certain food sources, so I substitute a lot of ingredients; also, space in an RV - even one as roomy as our 45-footer, is limited …

Roughly the same size as a small studio apartment.

… so I substitute most liquid ingredients with dried alternatives because they are easier to store, and lighter to haul around. Recipes are not a "do-or-die" undertaking: and most can be adapted quite successfully to personal needs. The key ingredient to cooking is to enjoy doing it. MPO

The kitchen smelled wonderful while it cooked: and the dish was delish 👍

I think yu'all will enjoy it, too 😁

VAL'S RED BEAN SOUP ~serves 6

2 large chunks of smoked Ham (prepare as you wish - leave whole, or dice) * 2 c. dry Red Beans, picked over & rinsed, if necessary * 1 Yellow Onion, sliced * 3 cloves Garlic, minced * handful of Baby Potatoes (leave whole) * 1 Green Bell pepper, sliced * 1 large Carrot, sliced * 2 Eggs, whole & raw * 4 c. Chicken Broth (homemade is best; but canned or bullion if fine, too) * 2 TBSP. Butter (or margarine) * 1-1/2 tsp. Jamaican Jerk Seasoning (recipe follows) * 1/8 tsp. Chili Powder * 1 fresh Basil leaf, slivered * 1 cup Red Wine * 5 tsp. Cornstarch

1) Mix Jamaican Jerk Seasoning Recipe if you are not using ready made.

2) Slice onions - place in bottom of crockpot; add ham, garlic, beans, bell pepper, & carrots …

3) Pour chicken broth over ham and veggies; add seasonings, eggs, & potatoes:

Baby potatoes.

Soup's on.

4) Place lid over crockpot & turn slowcooker temperature to High - when it reaches a boiling point, turn heat to Low and continue cooking 4 to 6 hours (or until beans & veggies are tender).

About 1 hour before you serve the soup: blend the wine and cornstarch - add to simmering soup and cook until it thickens some (it will not be a heavy thickening; more like a pan gravy).

YUMMY! And a repeat meal; Holland liked it 👏

I started cooking my soup at 10:30 A.M. & we were eating it, at 4:00 P.M.

Yum! Enjoy 😁

##Jamaican Jerk Seasoning Recipe: 3/4 tsp. Onion Powder * 3/4 tsp. Garlic Powder * 1/4 tsp. grnd. Cayenne * 1/2 tsp. grnd. Paprika * 1/4 tsp. grnd. Allspice * 1/2 tsp. Salt (salt substitute works as well) * 1/4 tsp. grnd. Black Pepper * 1/8 tsp. Cumin * 1/8 tsp. grnd. Nutmeg * 1/8 tsp. grnd. Cinnamon * 1/4 tsp. Thyme leaves * 3/4 tsp. Parsley * 3/4 tsp. Brown Sugar

Blend ingredients well; store remaining blend in a small, labeled container.