Lentil Bean Soup

Southerners love their beans. Substitute your favorite dried bean – great for northern beans.

Ingredients

• 1 lb dried lentil beans or northern beans
• 2 carrots, sliced in coins
• 2 onions, chopped
• 2 stalks of celery, chopped
• 1 tbsp melted butter
• 3/4 lb smoked Cajun Smoked Sausage cut in rings
• 1/2 lb cooked ham, cut in cubes
• 1/2 pound Jimmy Dean pork sausage
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp ground thyme
• 2 cloves garlic chopped fine
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp vinegar
• 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 tsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp red pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp onion pepper
• 6 cups water or more to cover beans

Directions