Hearty Bean And Barley Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 lb. dried Great Northern beans
2 qt. water
1 c. fine barley
1 ham hock
2 c. coarsely chopped ham
1 lb. ground beef, cooked and drained
1 large onion, chopped
8 cloves garlic, chopped
6 carrots, sliced
4 (10 1/2 oz.) cans consomme
1 to 1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
1/4 c. Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp. hot sauce
2 fresh jalapeno peppers, split and seeded

Preparation

Sort and wash beans; place in a large Dutch oven.
Cover with water 2 inches above beans.
Let soak overnight.
Drain.
Add 2 quarts water; bring to a boil.
Add remaining ingredients; cover, reduce heat and simmer 2 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.
Yields 5 1/2 quarts.
Freezes well.