Eleven Bean Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 cups eleven bean soup mix or 2 cups any combination of mixed beans
12 cups water
1 tablespoon salt
1 smoked ham hock or 1 smoked turkey leg
1 bouquet garni, recommended Bouquet Garni
1 (28 ounce) can Italian tomatoes, chopped
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup sliced celery
2 minced garlic cloves
1 green pepper, chopped
ground pepper, to taste
1 lb smoked sausage, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 boneless skinless chicken breast, cubed
additional salt, to taste

Preparation

Rince, drain, and pick over beans.
Place beans in an 8 quart pot with water, salt, ham hock, and bouquet garni.
Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer covered for 3 hours.
Add tomatoes, onions, celery, garlic, and green pepper to pot.
Bring back to a boil, reduce heat and simmer covered for 1 1/2 hours.
Add black pepper to taste, sausage, and chicken and simmer uncovered for 40 minutes.
Remove ham hock, disguard bones and skin, and return meat to pot.
Remove bouquet garni before serving.