French Market Soup(Southern Living Magazine) - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 pkg. French Market soup mix (2 c.)
1 large ham hock
2 qt. water
1 (16 oz.) can tomatoes, coarsely chopped (undrained)
1 1/2 c. onions, chopped
3 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 chili pepper, coarsely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

Preparation

Sort and wash soup mix; place in Dutch oven.
Cover with water 2 inches above soup mix; let soak 8 hours.
To speed soaking time: boil 2 quarts water; add bean mixture and boil 3 minutes.
Remove from heat; cover and let stand 1 hour.
Drain and proceed as directed.
Drain soup mix and return to pan; add 2 quarts water and ham hock.
Bring to boil; cover.
Reduce heat and simmer 1 1/2 hours.
Stir in tomatoes and next 4 ingredients.
Bring to boil; reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, 30 minutes.
Remove ham hock; remove meat from bone.
Chop meat and return to soup.
Stir in salt and pepper.
Yields 3 quarts.