French Market Soup Mix - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 c. bean mix
2 qt. cold water
1 ham hock (salt pork, chopped ham or sliced sausage)
1 1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 (28 oz.) can tomatoes, coarsely chopped (undrained, plain, stewed or Ro-Tel)
1 large onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, chopped or crushed
1 chili pepper, coarsely chopped (optional, especially if using Ro-Tel)
1/4 c. lemon juice

Preparation

Sort and wash 2 cups bean mix; place in a Dutch oven.
Cover with water 2 inches above beans and soak overnight.
Drain beans and add 2 quarts water and add next 3 ingredients.
Cover and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and simmer 1 1/2 hours or until beans are tender.
Add remaining ingredients; simmer 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Remove ham hock from soup and remove meat. Chop meat and return to soup.
Yield:
Approximately 2 1/2 quarts, 10 to 12 servings.